HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-27 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 27, 2023 City of Kitchener
A virtual meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was held at 11:00 a.m. on
September 27, 2023. Chaired by Chuck Howitt.
Present: Mark Bingeman, Joe Curto, Chuck Howitt, Paul Kreutner, Matt Kruschack, Margaret
Johnston, Dave Schnider, Barclay Whittaker
Absent: Ali Akbar, Ben Campbell, Srikanth Desikackar, Jason Malfara, Oanh Kasperski, Ayo
Owodunni, Laura Rodriguez Reyes, Graham Trusler
Staff:
Darren Becks, Brian Bennett, Cameron Dale, Katelyn Remus
Discussion Items
1. Welcome, Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
No pecuniary interests disclosed.
2. Bramm Community Engagement Plan
Jay Brown spoke to the committee about the proposed vision for the Bramm Yards in downtown
-2022 Strategic Plan identified the need to develop a
master plan for the Bramm Yards development site (55 Bramm Street and 130 Park Street). A
proposed focus for the Bramm Yards is to support the predicted growth of employment focused on
health innovation. The Bramm Yards is ideally situated to attract and support health innovation
businesses, given its proximity to the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, the future
University of Waterloo Health Innovation Arena, the University of Waterloo Velocity Incubator, the
McMaster University DeGroote School of Medicine, Communitech, and Google. The committee
provided feedback and were encouraged to complete the
page.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 27, 2023 City of Kitchener
3. Health Innovation Arena
Brian Bennett shared that in August, City of Kitchener Councillors approved investing up to
-square-feet and will be operated
by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC). More details can be found in the staff
report.
4. Updates: 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, New model for City Arts Facilities
Brian Bennett provided an overview of the 2023-2026 strategic plan and the new model for city
arts facilities. The strategic plan is a citizen-
next four years and was approved by Kitchener Council in late August. The priorities in the
approved plan are:
- Building a connected city
- Cultivating a green city
- Creating an economically thriving city
- Fostering a caring city
- Stewarding a better city
The City of Kitchener is taking on a new leadership role to support city-owned performing arts and
entertainment facilities to enhance the arts and entertainment sector in Kitchener. A new City of
Kitchener led centralized service model will lead to new opportunities for venue operators and the
broader community over time, including:
- Increasing the quantity and quality of live arts and entertainment events in Kitchener;
- Improving customer experiences;
- Boosting event promotion and attracting larger audiences;
- Improving service to prospective event promoters; and
- Supporting venue operators and artists through City resources and programs.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
Next meeting: October 25, 2023
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