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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv 2008-01-23 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES January 23, 2008 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor Chris Weylie; the following members were in attendance: Steven Voll, Len Carter, Ian Cook, Bob Denton, Gerry Remers, Mark Collins, Sherryl Petricevic, Don Zehr, Glen Woolner, Peter Benninger, Mayor Carl Zehr The following people sent their regrets: Howie Budd, Dan Piedra, Lawrence Bingeman, Willy Heffner, Jeremy Auger, Adrian Conrad The following people were absent: Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Janette MacDonald, Rob Morgan, Silvia Wright, Shelley Adams, Tracey DeVille, Cory Bluhm, Terry Boutilier, Jay Atheia 1. Discussion Items 1. Minutes & Agenda 1.2 Approval of Minutes On motion by Glen Woolner Seconded by Steven Voll 1.3 Downtown Advisory Committee – Update Glen Woolner provided the Committee with an update on the discussions that have been ongoing in the Downtown Advisory Committee. 2. Business Arising 2.1 Manufacturing Innovation Network Rod introduced Yvette Nanasi and Zach Kominarand provided some background information on IGLOO Inc. and how they are connected to the Manufacturing Innovation Network resulting from the 2006 Corporate Visitation Program. Ms. Nanasi provided the Committee with an overview of IGLOO Inc. and the work that they focus on, how and why they were formed and the work that they have been doing with the City. She identified the current status of the Manufacturing Innovation network and where the project is at this time and what the next steps are. Comments: How do we get buy in from the folks that are holding the information in their minds and their hands – we have easy buy in from the younger computer friendly generation. - we realize that and we are working through the challenges Cost – several small businesses may not be able to afford this technology - website will be launched this year with pricing, the membership costs have not been determined yet for the MIN project. It is going to be designed to be affordable as to not leave everyone out Does IGLOO host these sites - yes they do all the hosting on site, complete solution front to end Are there any communities we could access to see how this works. - visit our website igloo.org 2.2 Corporate Visitation Report Janette MacDonald provided the Committee with an overview of the results of the Corporate Visitation program, looking at the background information, profile of the participants, business operations, labour force, and location analysis. Points to note when comparing the visitation program this year to last year was: - positive growth trends - comparable business health outlooks It was noted that since the 2007 survey included several questions that were not included in the 2006 survey, it is difficult to accurately compare any changes or stability in some sections of manufacturing (eg. Research and Development investment) Suggestions were made to look at having an on-going communication on a yearly basis through maintaining firms that would be willing to fill out questionnaires to provide up to date information on the health of the manufacturing sector. In conclusion, the Committee was provided with an overview of the next steps on how action items are going to be implemented. Janette advised the Committee that if they had any further comments they may contact her directly. On motion by Glen Woolner Seconded by Len Carter Meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.