Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League Chamber of Commerce, in an amount up to $220,000.00, for the purpose of providing support to the Urban Business Connection Program. The Urban Business Connection Program is a partnership between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Urban League.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in the Columbus region with membership access to great opportunities for participating businesses in the Columbus community. Services provided by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce include workforce development, government advocacy efforts and business solutions. These services ensure growth and development in the Columbus region.
The Columbus Urban League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to serve as an advocate and resource in urban communities to promote growth, wealth, education, earning power and small business development.
In order to reach more businesses in the Columbus business community, the Columbus Chamber and The Columbus Urban League combined efforts to advance a shared priority of reaching underserved businesses. The Urban Business Connection Program was designed to improve racial inequities among minority entrepreneurs and businesses. Through the collaboration, the city’s grant funds will be used to assist the Chamber in providing free membership to one hundred black-owned businesses. Also through the program, businesses have access to a suite of services including business connections, specialized consultations, and research expanded services in marketing and visibility in the Columbus community. Funds will also be used to help expand participation for up to 30 black-owned businesses for a new cohort size of 100, and develop key partnerships that foster the stabilization and growth of minority-owned businesses.
This legislation allows for reimbursement of expenses beginning March 1, 2024 and authorizes the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding of $220,000 is available in the 2024 Jobs Growth subfund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance number is 006073 and contract compliance is pending.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League Chamber of Commerce in support of the Urban Business Connection Program; to allow for the reimbursement of expenses prior to the approval of the purchase order; to authorize the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Jobs Growth Subfund;and to declare an emergency ($220,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Urban Business Connection Program is a partnership between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Urban League; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Business Connection Program was created to advance a shared priority of improving racial inequities specifically for minority entrepreneurs and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in the Columbus region and it provides great opportunities for member businesses in the Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Urban League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to serve as an advocate and resource in urban communities to promote growth, wealth, education, earning power and small business development; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Business Connection Program will provide access to a suite of services including business connection, specialized consultations, research capabilities for targeted expansion, government advocacy and member pricing at Columbus Chamber events; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Business Connection Program will also provide free Chamber of Commerce memberships to thirty black-owned businesses for the 2024 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the legislation allows for reimbursement of expenses beginning March 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the legislation authorizes the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule; and
WHEREAS, continued financial support will help expand participation and develop key partnerships that foster the stabilization and growth of minority-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus desires to continue providing support to the Urban Business Connection Program; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce to support the Urban Business Connection Program; and NOW THEREFORE and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation in the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to pass this ordinance due to the fact that the Columbus Chamber of Commerce (the grant recipient, per the amendment) has already been operating the Urban Business Connection program throughout 2024 and funds need to be issued quickly to provide timely financial support for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety; 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 The Columbus Urban League Chamber of Commerce in support of the Urban Business Connection Program in an amount up to $220,000.00 and to allow reimbursement of expenses beginning March 1, 2024.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the sum of $220,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 10015 (Jobs Growth Subfund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division) in object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $220,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the advancement of funds is authorized on a predetermined schedule.
SECTION 5. That this agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modification associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
SECTION 8. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or 10 days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.