Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus State Community College, through their Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in an amount up to $230,000.00. This agreement provides continued financial support for staff. This agreement also allows for the reimbursement of expenses prior to the creation of the purchase order, starting January 1, 2025, and to advance funding per a predetermined schedule.
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College is a public/private partnership supported in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Ohio Department of Development, Columbus State Community College, the City of Columbus and other local partners. SBDC serves an eight-county region including Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties.
SBDC is part of America’s Small Business Development Centers, a national network comprised of over 1000 Centers across the U.S. including 29 in Ohio. The Ohio SBDC Network provides one-on-one advising, by Certified Business Advisors, at no cost and conduct no or low-cost business training. SBDC focuses on all industries and business needs from seed to maturity and every stage in-between.
Emergency action is requested to ensure continuous programming to promote job creation and economic development.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available within the Economic Development Division’s 2025 General Fund budget, but will require a transfer between object classes.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004263 and contract compliance expires on 03/14/2027.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement in an amount up to $230,000.00 with Columbus State Community College to provide financial support for their Small Business Development Center staff; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $230,000.00; to allow for the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order; to advance funding per a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($230,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College is a public / private partnership supported in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Ohio Development Services Agency, Columbus State Community College, the City of Columbus and other local partners. SBDC serves an eight-county region including Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development wishes to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus State Community College, to support their Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in an amount up to $230,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the staff supported with this funding will provide vital small business support to the Columbus small business community;
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the transfer and expenditure of up to $230,000.00 from the 2025 General Fund Budget; and
WHEREAS, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order and advanced funding per a predetermined schedule are also authorized; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Department for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, peace, and property, and that it is immediately necessary to enter into this grant agreement to promote job creation and economic development; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus State Community College, through their Small Business Development Center in the amount of $230,000.00 and to authorize advance funding per a schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 2. That the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the date of the purchase order on or after January 1, 2025, is approved.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the transfer of $230,000.00 within Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), object class 03 (Services) to object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $230,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), in object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.