HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-06-039 - Economic Development Advisory Committee Recommendation - Manufacturing Cluster Strategy1
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REPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services
Date of Meeting: June 26, 2006
Submitted By: Economic Development Advisory Committee
Prepared By: Kathy Weiss, Director Business Development
Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
Wards} Involved: All Wards
Date of Report: June 19, 2006
Report No.: CAO 06-039
Subject: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION -MANUFACTURING CLUSTER
STRATEGY
RECOMMENDATION:
That Kitchener City Council give direction to senior staff to meet with CTT, the Cities of
Cambridge and Waterloo and other key stakeholders such as the Greater KW Chamber of
Commerce to determine their interest in participating in a joint Task Force with a mandate to
focus on the regional manufacturing sector; and that;
The Task Force inventory existing programs and services that support manufacturers and
manufacturing investment in the region and identify gaps in the array of programs and services
that could support and enhance the competitiveness of the region and its manufacturing cluster,
and further that;
Subsequent to such consultations and a further discussion with the EDAC, specific suggestions
will be brought back to Council.
BACKGROUND:
In late 2005, economic development staff and the Economic Development Advisory Committee
felt that it was time to investigate through the Corporate Visitation Program the health of our
manufacturers, particularly those both directly and indirectly involved in the automotive cluster.
Several objectives were clearly identified at the outset of the program. These included:
^ To understand the competitive challenges and opportunities
^ To identify the factors affecting the location decisions and Kitchener's strength's and
weaknesses
^ To understand the spatial dimensions of the cluster to inform industrial land development
in the city and region, and;
^ To build on Kitchener's strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of manufacturing and
support it's growth
REPORT:
Feedback obtained from the corporate visitation program affirms that Kitchener is still a
desirable location for the manufacturing sector. While the manufacturing sector is facing
challenges, local companies are adapting by diversifying and increasing their productivity. The
entrepreneurial spirit, partnered with a highly skilled workforce, allows Kitchener's
manufacturing sector not only the ability to survive but to thrive in these increasing challenging
times.
Manufacturers expressed the need for the City of Kitchener to continue to support the
competitiveness of their sector by investing in employment lands while maintaining sensitivity
toward the impact of municipal taxes on the city's economic base. A variety of initiatives to
support the regional manufacturing industry are already in place, however there is merit in
collaborating and communicating on a regular basis with the regional partners to ensure both
attraction and retention efforts are utilized to their maximum potential.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNICATIONS:
N/A
Kathy Weiss Rod Regier
Director, Business Development Executive Director