Economic Development Advisory Committee

Committee Minutes

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 11:00 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Schmalz Room - Second Floor City Hall

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Present:

• Chuck Howitt, Chair
• Councillor A. Owodunni, Member
• Councillor D. Schnider, Member
• B. Whittaker, Member
• L. Rodriguez Reyes, Member
• J. Malfara, Member
• M. Lam, Member
• M. Krushack, Member
• J. Curto, Member
• M. Bingeman, Member
• A. Akbar, Member
• Margaret Johnston

Staff:

• K. Remus, Committee Admnistrator
• Cory Bluhm
• Brian Bennett

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1.

Commencement

The meeting commenced at 11:06 a.m. Chaired by Laura Rodriguez Reyes.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Delegations

None.

4.

Minutes Review

March minutes were reviewed, no changes required.

5.

Discussion Items

5.1

Communitech Partnership Renewal

Peter Lenardon, Director of Partnerships & Growth and Matthew Klassen, Vice President External at Communitech shared a presentation with the committee that spoke to the Communitech Partnership staff report and business case that is going to Finance and Corporate Services Committee on April 22. The staff report speaks to renewing the City of Kitchener's partnership with Communitech from 2024-2027 along with the need to supercharge the local startup ecosystem, with a particular focus on Downtown Kitchener. Communitech is a key partner to deliver supports to startups and scaling companies. The committee discussed how the success of the partnership investment would be evaluated. 

• On motion by Joe Curto, it was resolved: 

  That City of Kitchener staff, in collaboration with Communitech, identify clear metrics to evaluate the success of this partnership investment, to include:

  - The total number of startups supported by the identified programs;

  - The location as to where founders in the identified programs originated from and where they eventually locate their business;

  - The total number of new jobs created for the region through the programs supported by the City; and,

  - The total number of founders and startups that engaged in the identified programs in-person at the Communitech Hub.

  Where possible, that Communitech provide metrics on a program-by-program basis.

  Carried

5.2

EDAC Terms of Reference

Brian Bennett, City of Kitchener Manager of Business Development, presented the revised Terms of Reference based on the committee's feedback from the March meeting. The committee was in agreement with the revised Terms of Reference. Katelyn Remus, Committee Administrator, will submit the updated Terms of Reference to the City Clerks.

5.3

Lunch

5.4

Sponsorship Strategy

Dylan Matthews, City of Kitchener Policy and Program Advisor, spoke to the Sponsorship Strategy. In October 2023, the Sponsorship Strategy was presented and approved by City Council. This included a refreshed inventory of assets and revised revenue allocation within the policy. The current objectives of the Sponsorship Strategy are a marking strategy, asset profiles and a relationship development strategy. The committee will continue to discuss the Sponsorship Strategy at the May committee meeting.

6.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Katelyn Remus
Committee Administrator