HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2022-099 - Provincial Funding Agreement 2022-2024
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 7, 2022
SUBMITTED BY: Cory Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
519-741-2200 ext. 7065
PREPARED BY: Chris Farrell, Manager Small Business, 519-741-2200 ext. 7294
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: February 16, 2022
REPORT NO.: DSD-2022-099
SUBJECT: Provincial Funding Agreement 2022-2024
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign a two-year funding agreement with the
Province of Ontario for the Small Business Centre to deliver the core business information
services, summer company and starter company programs. Said agreement to be to the
satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and
That the General Manager, Development Services be authorized to execute on behalf of the
City of Kitchener any amendments to the two-year funding agreement provided such
amendments are to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,
That the Manager, Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, and the Executive Director,
Economic Development, be delegated authority to execute recipient grant agreements to the
satisfaction of the City Solicitor for the Starter Company Plus and Summer Company
programs.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) provides thousands of
entrepreneurs with the training and support necessary to start and grow successful
businesses. From concept, through start-up and early growth stages of business, the
Centre is a one-stop source for information, guidance and professional advice on starting
and running a successful business. Servicing individuals of all ages, educational and
cultural backgrounds and businesses from all industry sectors at all stages of business
WRSBC is one of 54 centres in Ontario supported by the province.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
The Kitchener Waterloo Region Small Business Centre acts as the business
headquarters, coordinating marketing, programs, and funding. Kitchener has four
employees, while the Cambridge and Waterloo satellite offices each have one employee
paid by their respective municipality.
WRSBC sources of funding include:
The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade
Cities of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo
Region of Waterloo
Other sources of revenue include: Special Projects/Programs and Event Fees
The City of Kitchener (Waterloo Region Small Business Centre) has received funding from
the Province of Ontario since 1998. The two-year agreement 2022 2024 ensures
together to help entrepreneurs start and grow a business.
REPORT:
The provincial funding agreement with the City of Kitchener and the Ministry of Economic
Development Job Creation and Trade will provide the Waterloo Region Small Business
Centre with $456,552 annually for each of the two years ($913,104 total). The funds
support:
Core Business Services:
one-on-one business consultations,
workshops and events,
assistance with market research, business and marketing plans,
information to navigating government departments, agencies and regulations
assistance with registering a provincial master business license
community outreach activities
The funding supports two full-time jobs, program delivery and grants expenses.
Summer Company Program:
entrepreneurial training, mentoring and grant for students age 15-29 starting and
running a business over the summer, eligible students must be returning to school.
The funding supports one part-time job, program expenses and a grant of up to $3000
for successful candidates.
Starter Company Program
entrepreneurial training, mentoring and grant for start-ups and growth companies.
The funding supports one part-time job, expenses and a grant of up to $5,000 for
successful candidates.
WRSBC has delivered the Summer Company program since 2001 and the Starter Company
businesses, the expansion of existing businesses, leveraged investments and job creation.
Throughout the term of the agreement, WRSBC submits interim performance reports and
requests incremental disbursements bi-annually. In the past, there have been opportunities
to apply for additional funding during the term of the agreement; itis important to respond
to these opportunities in a timely manner.
The small business centre collects and reports economic impact data to the province.
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STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports A Vibrant Economy.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. The provincial funding supports the Small Business Centre core business services,
summer company and starter company programs. The proposed agreement would provide
funding to support programming in the following ways:
Small Business Centre Program Provincial Funding
(Annually)
SBC Core Services $177,552
Starter Company Plus $175,000
Summer Company $104,000
TOTAL $456,552
Of the annual funding noted above, $191,000 would be used to provide grants to small
businesses.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Entrepreneurship and innovation contribute to economic growth in the community. The
Centre provides programs and services that support and complement other community
entrepreneurial initiatives essential to small business commercialisation within the
Waterloo Region ecosystem.
CONSULT: WRSBC conducts over ten surveys annually with small businesses to get
feedback and suggestions for service and program improvements.
COLLABORATE Waterloo Region 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 businesses in the
community. The Small Business Advisory Committee volunteers represent twelve industry
sectors across the region.
INFORM
the council / committee meeting.
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
None