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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1996-10-23BIAC\1996-10-23 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER ~3, 1996 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chah'), David lqYeure, Larry Blundelk Denise Strong, Jeff Morriss Carl Zeht; Bob C~ickshank~ Atso Saarkoppel, Councillors Christina Weylie and Tom Galloway ALSO PRESENT: Valerie Gibaut~ Jane Jantzi, Robin Reenstra-Bryant and Brock Stanley RECORDER: Sandy Curzon 1. K-W Princeton Area Economic Twinning Project Brystra Consultants has been retained by the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo for the total amount of $7,500. to vmqfy the economic benefits of the cities ente~qng into an economic twinning agreement with Plqnceton~Jew Brunswiclq New Jersey. In June '96 Mayor Richard Christy, Mayor Brian Tu~bulk and Reg Cressman, Dh'ector of Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener-Waterloo visited the Plqnceton area in order to identify initial interest among fh~ns and local government~ Initial steps have ah'early been taken by Brysta Consultants to identify the type of industry located in New Jersey. Fh~ns range in size from Fortune 500 corporation to small private enterprises along with two prominent universities (l:qqnceton and Rutgers). Possible internships or co-op placements with our universities was sited as a possibility. M~ Reenstra-Bryant's role is to explore sound economic reasoning to pursue twinning. She pointed out that two fh~ns from New Jersey visited Kitchener/Waterloo du~qng Oktobm~est and met with local companies with great interest Du~qng the next few months names and contacts of companies from the Plqnceton area, that have ah'early expressed interest will be made available. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES M~ Reenstra~Bryant was asked wha~ ff any, involvement economic staff from the two cities have had with the process todate. The Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener-Waterloo has taken a facilitating role, however it is understood that once companies have been identified from the Kitchener-Waterloo area~ economic development staff of both cities will then become involved with follow-up, a possible Phase H. Concern was raised that the cities are funding something they are not involved im It was noted that the initial request came from the l:qqnceton area and not Kitchener-Waterloo. Robin Reenstra-Bryant left the meeting. Huron Natural Area Brock Stanley, General Manager of Planning & Development presented a ch'aft letter to committee to examine the potential uses and theh' impact on the Huron Nafl~ral Area~ What uses could be added in a broader context. The letter will be distributed to the owners of property/businesses in the Huron Business Park asking them for theh' input. A personal follow-up meeting will take place ff requested. 5/h'. Stanley fel~ due to staff shortages and worMoad that this was not to take place until early sp~qng of '97. ~Vh'. Stanley stated that the existing framework of the business park is 15 years old and by reviewing the existing uses puts the park into todays context. There was some discussion on the existing and potential new uses in the parl~ Committee will be sent a copy of the ch'aft letter and were asked to provide theh' input. 3. Minutes of September lQ, 1996 The Minutes of September IQ, 1996 were approved and adopted. Economic Development Division October 23, 1996. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 4. Economic Development Activities a) Development Charge There will be an increase in non-residential development charge~ The Region is currently at $1.90 and will increase to $9.45. The City of Kitchener's development charge k currently at $0.86 per square foot of gross floor area and will increase by cost of living. Concern was raised that these charges have ah'eady been approved without the input of committee. There k a current freeze on amending the development charge by-law while they review hard vs soft service~ T. Galloway will report back to committee. b) Enquiries Enquiries have continued to increase du~4ug the past montl~ c) cTr A meeting is scheduled in November with the Cl~ Development Officers and CAO's to discuss the next step in the restrnctu~qng phase. V. Gibaut advised Committee that increasing marketing efforts in the CT~ area is a focal point Stakeholders have not yet been identified, local businesses will be asked for funding. J. Hoffman noted that area realtors are ah'eady working together on the concept of CT~ funded totally by the Real Estate Boar& d) V. Gibaut intbrmed Committee of past and upcoming trade shows,lnission~ Business World Exhibition - Montreal - October 1-3rd Together with ClX, this show brought out companies interested in leaving Quebec ii) World Trade - Toronto - October 94th ih) Automotive After Parts Show - Las Vegas - November 5-8th iv) Central Ontario Business Show- Bingeman Park- November 12-13th Economic Development Division October 23, 1996. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES CYF is hosting an "Exporting to the US" seminar on November 19th Germany - November 19th - 93rd With the help of the Canadian Embassy in Bonn, Germany several meetings have been arranged with German companies for possible networking opportunitie~ vi) Real Estate Show - Toronto - December 3-5th e) Passport to Success J. Jantzi intbrmed Committee that this years event was a great succes~ Attendance was up (h'amaticaHy h'om the recent two years~ One company in particular looking at relocating from the US was very impressed by the area and wish to tie into the universities research and development program~ Meeting adjourned at 1~:55 pm Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 13, 1996 11:00 am - 1:00 pm City of Kitchener, Council Caucus Room City Hall, ~nd Floor NOTE CHANGE IN DATE OF NEXT MEETING Economic Development Division October 23, 1996.