HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2007-03-28
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 28, 2007 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Adrian Conrad, commencing at 11:15 a.m. with the following members in
attendance: Bob Denton, Glen Woolner, Howie Budd, Gerry Remers, Mark
Collins, Willy Heffner, Len Carter, Paul Singh, Peter Benninger, Mayor Carl Zehr
The following people sent their regrets: Sherryl Petricevic, Lawrence Bingeman,
Dan Piedra, Don Zehr, Ian Cook
The following people were absent: Paul Allen, Jeremy Auger
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Kathy Weiss, Rob Morgan, Chantelle Dixon,
Valerie Bradford, Silvia Wright, Cory Bluhm, Terry Boutilier, Jeff Willmer, Laura
Mann, Tracey DeVille
Approval of Minutes
Economic Development Advisory Committee approved the minutes with the
following changes:
Addition of absent members from the February meeting
?
Adjustment of awards announcement to The Chamber of Commerce
?
awards
Addition of discussion regarding the Economic Developers Council of
?
Ontario (EDCO)
1. Discussion Items
1.1 Brownfield’s – City Perspective on Regional Approach
Terry Boutilier was in attendance to obtain feedback from the presentation he
provided the Committee at the February meeting regarding the City’s perspective
on a Regional approach to Brownfield’s. Mr. Boutilier requested the Committee
assist in answering four (4) questions in this regard, namely:
1. How much should we assist?
2. How should we assist?
3. Should we combine the City and the Region programs?
4. What is our objective – clean up, re-use or both?
The Committee generally felt that it was important to support the initiative
suggested. The Committee had felt that the city was carrying the burden of cost
on the Brownfield program and that all levels of government should contribute to
the TIF program so as to increase the attractiveness of Brownfield properties to
developers. The committee strongly supported the TIF model, as it essentially
constituted no increase in cost to the existing tax base, but was critical in
reurbanization by bringing vacant and contaminated properties to more
productive use.
The Committee requested that Mr. Boutilier pursue this matter and provide them
with updates.
1.2 Economic Development Strategy – Creating a Vision for the City
Approach
Mr. Regier provided the Committee with a presentation update on the status of
the Economic Development Strategy.
At its February meeting, the Committee had developed a list of concepts and
words that should inform the City’s Vision Statement for Economic Development.
The Committee reviewed a set of draft alternative vision statements.
1) Ex industria propseritas. Ex scientia ac creo sustento prosperitas.
Through industry we’ve prospered. Through knowledge and
creativity, we sustain our prosperity.
2) Kitchener – capitalizing on our past to create a dynamic centre of
innovation, entrepreneurship and culture.
3) Kitchener will sustain a prosperous economy that is healthy, balanced,
creative and inclusive.
4) Kitchener has a vibrant and prosperous economy that fosters
successful, creative leaders.
5) Kitchener – dreaming, creating and building for the world!
Each Committee member present voted on which statement they preferred. The
following is an outline of how the Committee voted on each statement:
1. 1 in favor
2. 3 in favor
3. no votes
4. 1 in favor
5. 3 in favor
It was narrowed down to statement 1 & 5. The Committee worked together to
revise wording that was appealing. The following is the statement that the
Committee members would prefer to see:
Our past Our future through knowledge, diversity, community & creativity
we grow.
Mr. Regier advised the Committee that staff will use this vision statement as a
starting point for discussions with Council around the Economic Development
Strategy.
The Committee also discussed the strategic plan. It endorsed the introduction of
talent attraction as an important aspect of the strategy. The Committee also
indicated that the continued work on the cluster strategy is important and the
creation of new programs in the Small Business Centre are promising.
Overall the Committee supported the structure and approach of the economic
development strategy. The Committee was invited to provide more detailed
written comments at their convenience.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.