HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv 2009-02-25
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 25, 2009 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Adrian Conrad; the following members were in attendance: Councillor Christina
Weylie, Councillor John Smola, Alan Anderson, Bernie Nimer, Brent Richardson,
Jeremy Auger, Mark Bingeman, Brian Bennett, Rebecca Short and Peter
Benninger
The following people sent their regrets: Howie Budd, Dan Piedra, Mary Alkerton
The following people were absent: Len Carter
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Valerie Bradford, Tracey DeVille, Silvia Wright,
Cory Bluhm, Jeff Willmer, Terry Boutilier
1. Minutes & Agenda
That the minutes of the January 28, 2009 meeting be approved.
Moved and Carried.
2. Annual Calendar Development
The committee was asked to identify topics for the 2009 calendar. The following
topics were suggested:
Tourism – local promotion for both people coming to visit Kitchener
o
and people living in Kitchener
Arts & Culture and the importance in the economic growth of the City
o
Manufacturing – opportunities and challenges
o
Promotion of the strength and stability of the City’s economy
o
Support for small business and education seminars on provincial and
o
federal grants that are available
Emerging opportunities to strength the urban economy
o
Psychological aspects of a recession
o
Action items:
Circulate the Ontario Tourism Strategy Document
o
CTT discussion at future meeting regarding the Asian Markets
o
Economic Reality Check to be a standing item on the agenda
o
Guest speaker regarding Psychology of the Current Economic
o
Situation
Discuss support on Federal / Provincial grant resources with the
o
Small Business Centre
3. Sub-Committee Formation – Terms of Reference Review
As part of the mandate for this Committee term, the Terms of Reference for the
Economic Development Advisory Committee require a review and potential
updating. Members were asked to volunteer to sit on the Sub-Committee Review
Team. The following members volunteered:
Ian Cook
Jeremy Auger
Adrian Conrad
Brian Bennett
Tracey DeVille advised that she would set up a meeting to review and discuss.
4. Economic Reality Check
Janette MacDonald provided the Committee with an overview of the current
economic situation and labour force numbers.
Due to time constraints, the presentation and discussion were paused and will be
completed next meeting.
Questions / Discussion:
What can we do as a city to truly diversify?
Which industries are growing in employment numbers?
What are other cities doing to diversify and what can we do to support
that?
5. Minute Approval
On motion by Peter Benninger
Seconded by Alan Anderson
The January 28, 2009 minutes were approved.
On motion the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 pm.