Economic Development Advisory Committee

Committee Minutes

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Schmalz Room - Second Floor City Hall
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present:
  • Chuck Howitt, Chair
  • M. Lam, Member
  • M. Krushack, Member
  • J. Curto, Member
  • M. Bingeman, Member
  • A. Akbar, Member
Staff:
  • Cory Bluhm
  • Brian Bennett
  • N. Nandakumar, Committee Administrator
  • Aura Hertzog
  • Lidia Feraco
  • Mitchell Blaine

1.
Commencement

 

The meeting commenced at 11:11 a.m. Chaired by Chuck Howitt.

2.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

 

None

3.
Delegations

 

None

4.
Discussion Items

 

4.1
Administrative Updates 

5 m
 

C.Bluhm shared that the committee is operating on a 4-year term and any gaps in representation across different industries would be identified and addressed. 

4.2
State of Commercial Real Estate 

45 m
 

M.Blaine presented to the committee the Industrial Market Update for Q3 2024. He provided an overview on Capital, Industrial and Office markets touching on important areas such as leasing vs buying, land values and developmental charges, supply pipeline and trends. He touched upon the notable development in the area of Milton, Waterloo, Wellington, Brantford & Brant County, Woodstock along with their development timelines. He noted that the construction in the Industrial Real Estate Space has reduced along with the rent with the E-Commerce Industry picking up. 

The committee had questions pertaining to parking spaces and a need to alleviate parking in the Downtown area. 

 

4.3
Lunch

15 m
 

4.4
Business Outreach Program

30 m
 

The initiative aims to enhance business outreach across sectors, fostering relationships, identifying retention and expansion needs, and positioning the City as a key support resource. The process includes marketing and planning phases, followed by targeted outreach to 300 businesses and round table discussions across industries. Key areas of focus will encompass growth opportunities, labor needs, competition challenges, and municipal support. A comprehensive data report will be shared with Council and the community, highlighting insights and recommendations.

4.5
Sustainability Practices for Businesses - Exploratory Conversation

20 m
 

C.Bluhm spoke about Business Resilience and Continuity in the face of Climate Change. 

  • City's Facilities (56%) and Fleet (34%) divisions are the drivers of sustainability initiatives

He spoke about the Transform WR which is Waterloo Region's community wide Initiate which aims at :

  • Low Energy goods movement
  • Building 15 minute communities
  • Zero Emission vehicles
  • Transform the ways we produce, consume and waste 

It is a long term strategy that aims to  transform Waterloo Region into an equitable, prosperous, resilient low carbon community. 

5.
Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. 

Navitha Nandakumar
Committee Administrator

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