HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-108 - WRSBC - Agreement with the Region of WaterlooREPORT TO: Community & InfrastructureServicesCommittee
DATE OF MEETING:September 10, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Chris Farrell,Manager Small Business Centre, 519 741 2200 x7294
PREPARED BY: Chris Farrell,Manager Small Business Centre,519 741 2200 x7294
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:August 20, 2018
REPORT NO.:DSD-18-108
SUBJECT:Agreement with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement
satisfactory to the City Solicitor with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to obtain
funding for the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre services and programs for an
initial two year period with the Region having an option to renew annually thereafter on
mutually agreeable terms; and further,
That the Executive Director, Economic Development, Development Service Department,
City of Kitchener, be authorized to sign renewal agreements satisfactory to the City
Solicitor with The Regional Municipality of Waterloo to continue obtaining funding for the
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.
BACKGROUND:
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC), a section within the Development
Services Department of the City of Kitchener, provides information, workshops, events, guidance
and consultation on a variety of issues to entrepreneurs in all industry sectors and at all stages
of business from start-up to expansion. WRSBC has two satellite offices in the City of Cambridge
and City of Waterloo. Services are provided from all offices to entrepreneurs in the rural
communities of Waterloo Region.
The City of Kitchener’s Waterloo Region Small Business Centre office currently operates with
three full-time employees and three part-time employees. Each of the WRSBC satellite offices
in the City of Cambridge and City of Waterloo, have one employee. All programs, events,
workshops and marketing strategies are co-ordinated from the Kitchener office. WRSBC
engages over 75 volunteers who act as mentors and industry experts for entrepreneurs and a
volunteer Board of Advisors comprised of 10 local business professionals.
Annually throughout the Region, the Centre responds to over 25,000 inquiries, conducts over
2,000 one-on-one business consultations, assists over 600 new start-ups, facilitates over 250
workshops and hosts up to 60 events. Through provincially funded programs WRSBC provides
grants of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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The City of Kitchener (Waterloo Region Small Business Centre) currently receives funding from
the following:
The Province of Ontario
Region of Waterloo
Municipalities – Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo
Other Projects
Fees for services, events and workshops.
REPORT:
The two-year agreement provides $50,000 each year (2018 and 2019) from the Region of
Waterloo to the Small Business Centre. This funding is funding that has been provided annually
from the Region in the past; however, a process change is being implemented to formalize the
agreement. The purpose of this report isto execute the agreement and authorize staff to execute
future agreements.
As in previous funding years, the two-year agreement with the Region of Waterloo contributes
to providing services and resources that are expected to result in the establishment of new
businesses, and support business growth and job creation in Waterloo Region.
Through this funding the Small Business Centre will continue to provide entrepreneurial support
throughout the Waterloo Region including:
entrepreneurial training;
one-on-one business consultations;
workshops and events; and,
access to mentors, industry experts and provincial programs.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:Strong & Resilient Economy
Strategy: #2.2 Support the attraction, retention and development of existing and new
industries within the regional economy working in collaboration with the
economic development corporation for Waterloo Region.
Strategic Action: # 26Make It Start
# 27 Make It Grow
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. Regional funding of $50,000 per year is integral to maintaining the services of the WRSBC
and as such would be incorporated into its annual operating budget as shown in the appendix
attached hereto.
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Entrepreneurship and innovation contributes to economic growth in the community. The Centre
provides programs and services that support and compliment other community entrepreneurial
initiatives essential to the commercialization of small business as a collaborative partner within
this ecosystem.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
COLLABORATE – The City of Kitchener WaterlooRegion Small Business Centre
communicates, consults and collaborates with a broad range of community groups,
organizations, agencies, secondary and post-secondary institutes, municipal, regional and
provincial governments to ensure the entrepreneurial services and programs address the needs
of small business in the community. The volunteers for the Waterloo Region Small Business
Centre and the Board of Advisors are representative of these community groups.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General ManagerDevelopment Services
Department
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APPENDIX 1
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre – Projected Budget 2018
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
2018 2019
Projected Budget 2018 -2019
REVENUES
Ontario -MEDG551,986443,500
Ontario - MRI 173,552 173,552
City of Cambridge18,40013,400
City of Kitchener 117,866 90,366
City of Waterloo14,600 9,600
Region of Waterloo50,000 50,000
Sponsorships 20,000 20,000
Membership Fees2,000 2,000
Registration Fees 8,000 8,000
Room Rentals 1,000 1,000
Other 12,000 15,000
969,404 826,418
EXPENSES
514,978 521,229
Salaries
51,796 41,145
Administrative Expenses
310,000 240,000
Grants
49,10511,885
Professional Services
Events and Publicity 42,075 23,400
1,4501,450
Insurance
969,404 839,109
Net Profit (loss)
0 -12,691
Accumulated Surplus (Deficit)
93,114 93,114
Opening Balance
0 -12,691
Net Profit (Loss)
93,114 80,423
Closing Balance
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