HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2006-05-24ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 24, 2006 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Hans
Pottkamper, commencing at 11:10 a.m. with the following members in
attendance: Councillor Christina Weylie, Sherryl Petricevic, Glen Woolner, Bob
Denton, Mark Paleczny, Peter Benninger, Henrick Noesgaard, Ian Cook, Adrian
Conrad, Lawrence Bingeman, Ed Brooker, Sunshine Chen, Don Zehr, Howie
Budd
The following people sent their regrets: Dan Piedra, Len Carter
The following people were absent: Kathy Durst,
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Hans Gross, Kathy Weiss, Janette MacDonald,
Valerie Bradford, Tracey DeVille
1. NEW BUSINESS
1.1 K-W Hydro, Rate Comparison
Mr. Ron Charie, President and CEO, Kitchener Wilmot Hydro, was in attendance
to address concerns raised through the Corporate Visitation Program regarding
hydro rates for local businesses.
Mr. Charie provided the Committee with a detailed comparison of rates between
Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. The comparison chart showed the
differences between residential and commercial costs as well as explanation of
line loss. Mr. Charie noted that Kitchener Wilmot Hydro is among the lowest rate
in the province.
The Committee advised that the majority of the complaints regarding the hydro
concerns were based on the deposit required by the utility. Mr. Charie explained
that they are under legislation by the Ontario government, requiring them to
impose the deposit policy. Mr. Charie discussed some alternative options to the
deposit policy, such as, a letter of credit and signing up for the automatic deposit
program.
Hans Pottkamper requested that Mr. Charie provide an explanation on the
deposit policy to the local business owners at the Corporate Visitation Breakfast
meeting in June.
1.2 Corporate Visitation Report /Discussion
Valerie Bradford, Business Development Officer and Janette MacDonald,
Technical Analyst, provided a preview of the presentation for the Corporate
Visitation Breakfast Report in June.
The program provided valuable information to move forward in economic
development in the City of Kitchener. Some highlights of the presentation
include:
^ Provided 2 way communication to the business community
^ Business community now has a contact at City Hall
^ Local hiring needs both short & long term
^ Health of individual businesses
^ Impacts from various pressures
^ Expansion plans (if applicable)
^ Export dollars
^ Research & Development opportunities
^ Local labour market trends
^ Location /relocation needs
^ Transportation needs
^ Municipal services assessment
Ms. MacDonald provided some background information on the types of
businesses that were focused on. The main focus of attention this year was
placed on automotive and automotive related industry. A total number of 141
businesses in Kitchener were identified as automotive and automotive related, of
that 61 businesses were able to participate in the program.
Mr. Bill Elliott, Director of Business Development, Canada's Technology Triangle
(CTT) was in attendance for the meeting to provide an update on the
manufacturing cluster development currently in place by CTT and the relation
that cluster development has to the Corporate Visitation Program. Mr. Elliott
noted that this cluster goes beyond Kitchener and the Region, it could in theory,
stretch from Detroit to Oshawa. The general feeling from Committee members
was development of an association to connect the local businesses with one
another could prove to be helpful. Concerns were raised regarding whether the
local businesses would see the need and if it would be a viable tool for them. Mr.
Elliott advised that since there are no local associations for this type of industry,
the creation of an association would be helpful.
A motion was put forward to forward the following recommendation to Council as
a result of the visitation program, showing support for development of a task
force to work with CTT and surrounding municipalities to identify goals and
opportunities of the local automotive and automotive related industry:
"EDAC recommends to Council that direction be given to senior staff to
form a Task Force with the specific mandate to work with CTT, the cities
of Cambridge and Waterloo and any other key groups required in order
to establish a framework to meet with all potential employers in future with
a goal of attracting them to this area, including my drawing on all contacts
and networks derived from local companies in all three cities."
It was noted that the vote on the motion resulted in 2 opposed members and 8
members in favor.
2. DISCUSSION
2.1 Approval of minutes -
Due to time restraints, the minutes of the April 26, 2006 meeting will be approved
at the June 28, 2006 meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.