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Home My WebLink AboutBusiness & Ind - 1993-06-10BIAC\1993-05-20 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY ~0, 1993 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chairman), Atso Saarkoppel, Martha George, Tito Gughelmi, Claude Schneider, Dan Beach, Wayne Hussey, David Freure, Jim McCutcheon, Alderman Mike Wagner, Alderman Carl Zeht; Tom Mci(ay, George Borovilos, Jane Jantzi and Valede Gibaut REGRETS: John Tibbits, and Jerry Mclnnis RECORDER: Jane Jantzi 1. Inh'oductions Tom McKay inh'oduced Mayor Shikongo of Windhoek, Namibia~ Mayor Shikongo and several of his staff are part of the Afdca 9000 F~xchange PI'ogram between the cities of Windhoek and Kitchener. To date Kitchener and Windhoek staff have made three reciprocal visits Neilius Kreuger who is responsible for public relations, economic development and tourism in Windhoek was also inh'oduced. Valede Gibaut inh'oduced Kevin Matthews~ Kevin is a Business Adminish'ation graduate from Will)qd Lauder Univemity. He k the new Small Business Counsellor and started with the Economic Development Division as of May 3L 1993. Adoption of Minutes The minutes of May 90, 1993 were adopted with the amendment to show that Claude Schneider was in attendance. Format of Joint Meeting with the Waterloo Economic Development Committee Valede Gibaut indicated that Doug McKenzie, Dh'ector of Economic Development~ for the City of Waterloo questioned whether the fh~t meeting should include all of CIT. The committee expressed concern that the result of such an effort might hinder our initial focus of dealing with common marketing concerns between Kitchener and Waterloo. Valede suggested that in the future we could set up a CIW knowledge exchange meeting with the various advisory boards for each municipality to discuss marketing ideas such as a CIW video and a promotional package. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES The committee concluded that a CYF meeting would be premature; instead it was suggested that a meeting be am'anged between the Waterloo Economic Development Committee and the Kitchener Business and Industry Advisory Committee in early September. The meeting will focus on joint promotions such as brochures, videos, advertisements and the like. It was also suggested that members of the committee identify goals and objectives to be discussed at this joint meeting and forward to Valerie Gibaut~ 4. Economic Twinning Valerie Gibaut distaqbuted copies of the Laurier Trade Development Centre Economic Twinning research project The purpose of the report was to identify communities throughout the world that have similar economic base character%tics with Kitchener. The report also provides key economic sector identification and outlines the next step which is to make a formal contact with those areas which have been suggested. It was pointed out that a major marketing thrust is Educational Excellence which involves the universities, community college and the local school board~ This is an important element with respect with this economic alliance initiative. The committee also felt that Waterloo's participation is c~qtical in terms of the financial and time costs and it is easier to market this concept jointly because of demographics and business compositiom In terms of implementation, it was pointed out that the Economic Development Division plans to implement economic linkages with Level One areas as soon as possible. It was indicated that both universities ah'eady have linkages with some of the areas identified. The cities could build upon these unique relationships that are ah'eady in place. Discussion took place as to who should be involved in this type of trade missiom It was decided that the Chamber of Commerce would be an excellent partner in that they are a dh'ect link to local business through theh' membership. Valerie Gibaut to provide more intbrmation to Dan Beach for the next Chamber board meeting. Plqor to approaching both the Chamber of Commerce and the Waterloo Economic Development Committee, the committee agreed to read the report and voice any concerns to Valerie Gibaut. It was also emphasized that the main emphasis of this activity was not social twinning but economic linkage~ June 1~ 1993. Economic Development Division BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 5. Small Business John Doe noted that as we move from the old economy to the new economy, many of our traditional, larger indust~%s are downsizing and rationalizing theh' operations Additionally we are not seeing the same intqmx of larger business relocating to this regiom The trend k towards small business start-ups created in many cases by displaced worker~ Also evidenced k the growth in employment levek of small business fh~ns less than 100 employees Kevin Matthews, the Small Business Counsellor will play a vital part in assisting these entrepreneurs wishing to start-up small businesses 6. Community Economic Development John Doe intbrmed the committee that the latest concept is "Community Economic Development". This term means dilTerent things to dilTerent people. At the Ontario provincial level theh' appears to be an unsympathetic attitude towards business as opposed to certain states in the United States such as Georgia where business people can call and actually talk to the Governor. Another positive example of effective Community Development is lqYank McKenna, PI'emier of New Brunswick The committee felt that in Ontario, before a program such as this can be implemented, a change in attitude at the top must occur. In this area, the Community Economic Development concept has ah'eady occurred citing examples such as CT~, the joining of two Chambers, the Educational F~xcellence Committee, Community Business Initiative and other progressive programs 7. Other Business Mayor's Message Mayor Shikongo spoke brielqy about his country, Namibia~ He indicated that he was most impressed with Canada, especially the abundance of clean ¢hqnking water. The average annual rainfall in Namibia is b. Technology Transfer Office Wayne Hussey advised that he has spoken with Ted Cross at the University of June 1~ 1993. Economic Development Division 3 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Waterloo Office of Technology Transfer. Ma'. Cross indicated that he would be pleased to speak to companies that are involved in research and development activities or ff necessary the small business entrepreneur. Technology transfer will be a future business item for the joint meeting of the two advisory committee~ c. Adaptive Re-Use of Industrial Buildings Sub-Committee Alderman Wagner updated the committee on Adaptive Re-use committee's progres~ He indicated that the committee has recently embarked on a joint effort with a developer who is in the process of renovating the Bauer building. Several LACAC and ARI]B members toured the site and recommended changes to the developer's original plan~ The developer and architect were satisfied with the committee's input and are willing to implement changes to the front of the building. The proposal will be recommended to staff and Council in order to expedited the proces~ Economic Development Activities 1993 Ontario Marketing Awards George Borovilos who is currently attending the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) summer meeting indicated by fax that Kitchener has received thi'ee marketing awards~ Fhst Place Fhst Place Second Place Newsletter Category--Global Opportunities Brochure Black/White Advertisement--Educational F~xcellence Special Purpose Brochure--Community PI'ofile The Economic Development Division was competing in Category B, communities with budgets over $~50,000. plu~ This would include communities such as Mississauga~ Scarborough and Hamilton/Wentwort]~ Valerie Gibaut will write to Di'. Doug Wright and Di'. Lorna Marsden thanking them for theh' participation in the advertisement. b. Uniroyal-Goodrich Sale Valerie Gibaut indicated that the Unh'oyal-Goodiqch plant on Strange Street has June 1~ 1993. Economic Development Division 4 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES been sold to a concent~'ated hght industaqal user. c. Junior Achievement Awards Valerie Gibaut intbrmed the committee that she has been asked to sit on the Junior Achievement Awards Committee. They are presently looking for nominations of companies for theh' Business Achievement Award~ Suggestions should be forwarded to Valerie by Wednesday June 16t]~ Semi-Annual Report Valerie Gibaut dist~qbuted a (h'aft of the semi-annual report for the Economic Development Divisio~ The layout has been changed from previous format in order to make it aesthetically pleasing and easier to rea& Any comments or concerns should be forwarded to Valerie. Valerie Gibaut thanked the Chah' for arranging today's meeting. Meeting adjourned at 1~:40 p.n~ Next Meeting: Thursday, July 8, 1993 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Committee Room #4, 4th Floor Kitchener City Hall June lQ 1993. Economic Development Division 5