Explanation
BACKGROUND:
City Council amended the 2005 and 2006 budgets to create a $2 million Job Growth Initiatives Fund to help create more jobs for Columbus residents. The focus on job growth is a primary policy objective of both Council and the Mayor. The City has used Jobs Growth Initiatives funds to promote specific initiatives that attract more research and knowledge-based companies into the city. A major effort here has been the 315 Research + Technology Corridor project launched in 2005. This project takes advantage of the intense grouping of world-class research, science and technology institutions and companies that exist along the State Route 315. One partner in this effort is TechColumbus, itself a partner working to provide the catalyst for technology-based economic development in the next decade in Central Ohio.
This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into an agreement with TechColumbus for the purpose of supporting efforts to attract and grow businesses in the 315 Research + Technology Corridor. A business and a strategic plan to guide future development in the Corridor were produced in the summer of 2006. It is now time to implement recommendations contained therein. This ordinance authorizes the use of $130,000 of General Funds to contract with TechColumbus for that purpose.
Emergency action is requested to continue the administration of the above activity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $130,000 from the $2 million Job Growth Initiative Fund established by City Council.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $130,000 within the Jobs Growth Initiatives Fund to the Development Department; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with TechColumbus for the purpose of supporting efforts to attract and grow businesses in the 315 Research + Technology Corridor; implementing components of the strategic and business plans related to the 315 Research + Technology Corridor; to authorize the expenditure of $130,000 from the Jobs Growth Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency ($130,000).
Body
WHEREAS, an intense grouping of world-class research, science and technology institutions and companies exist along the State Route 315, and it is imperative that Columbus position itself as one of the nation's most attractive "smart capital" enclaves by working to attract and retain what is currently the nation's second largest post-secondary education population; and
WHEREAS, because the City of Columbus was limited in its ability to attract research, knowledge-based, high-tech, companies due to a lack of a master strategy for compiling and developing the physical and "smart capital" resources to create a world-class research park, project partners funded a strategic plan and business plan to guide future investments in the Corridor; and
WHEREAS, said plans were completed and issued in the summer of 2006; and
WHEREAS, Council deems it an appropriate use of the Jobs Growth Initiatives Fund to enter into contract with TechColumbus in their efforts to attract and grow businesses in to begin work on implanting aspects of the business and strategic plans to promote the 315 Research + Technology Corridor; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested in order to continue the administration of the above activity; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate said funds and to enter into contract with TechColumbus for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $130,000 in the Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015 to the Development Department, Economic Development Division, Division No. 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440215.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter an agreement with TechColumbus for the purpose of supporting its role as the region's Lead Applicant agency, as it relates responsible for administering ESP grant funding, related to the 315 Research + Technology Corridor, and to expend $130,000 or so much as may be necessary.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $130,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Fund No. 015, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA 440215.
Section 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with Chapter 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 5. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage of the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.