Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into contract with Make Columbus for the provision of small business development services.
Columbus ranks near the top of major metropolitan areas with regard to new business startups and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the number of small businesses operating in central Ohio and their corresponding sustainability rate has continued to increase over the last several years. In 2016, The Kauffman Index named Columbus as the 16th best city for “Main Street Entrepreneurship.”
As Columbus continues to grow, small businesses will serve as the engine for regional job growth, and it is critical that the city engage resources that provide small businesses with the tools and assistance they need to scale. To that end, Make Columbus provides the connection between established small businesses and the services, expertise, and capital necessary to scale those businesses in size.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available within the Job Growth Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into contract with Make Columbus for the provision of small business development services; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Job Growth Initiatives subfund; and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes. ($27,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus ranks near the top of major metropolitan areas with regard to new business startups and entrepreneurship; and
WHEREAS, as Columbus continues to grow, small businesses will serve as the engine for regional job growth, and it is critical that the city engage resources that provide small businesses with the tools and assistance they need to scale; and
WHEREAS, Make Columbus provides the connection between established small businesses and the services, expertise, and capital necessary to scale those businesses in size; and
WHEREAS, in the interest of promoting small business development, this Council deems it an effective use of funds to contract with Make Columbus for professional services in support of the regional economy; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the City to authorize City Council to enter into an agreement with Make Columbus; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Make Columbus for the provision of small business development services.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $27,000.00 in the Job Growth Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $27,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Job Growth Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Council finds it in the city's best interest to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Code in order to enter into this contract.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.