Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Diversity Bridge Initiative is a program launched by the Columbus Chamber to cultivate the growth of minority and women-owned businesses in Columbus. Diversity Bridge is a direct outgrowth of a comprehensive strategic planning process that involved more than 100 diverse stakeholders including minority business owners, nonprofit-minority and women-owned businesses, business resource providers, local, state and federal government and the private sector.
The Chamber, in concert with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact to assure successful implementation of the programs and activities of The Diversity Bridge program. Diversity Bridge encourages collaboration among the organizations/agencies that service minority businesses, thereby eliminating unnecessary redundancy and enhance service.
Through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network; and build capacity within the minority business community.
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber for administrative costs associated with the services referenced above.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Diversity Bridge Initiative to continue services.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $50,000 for the administrative costs will come from the 2012 General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber for administrative costs associated with the Diversity Bridge Initiative; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Diversity Bridge Initiative provides direct programming or a link to the appropriate program for all women/mino...
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