Explanation
Background
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week, Inc. in support of Fashion Week Columbus programming.
CMH Fashion Week (dba Columbus Fashion Council) advances Columbus’ fashion and creative economy by discovering, developing, celebrating, and showcasing local talent. The organization creates opportunities for designers, models, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals to connect, grow, and gain visibility while strengthening Columbus as a destination for fashion and culture.
Fashion Week Columbus is a weeklong celebration of fashion, creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression that connects Columbus residents with local designers, models, artists, retailers, and creative professionals. The program serves emerging and established fashion talent, with a focus on increasing opportunities for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through runway shows, educational programming, networking opportunities, and community partnerships, Fashion Week Columbus provides participants with visibility, professional development, and access to new audiences and markets.
Grant funding will support essential program and event expenses, allowing Fashion Week Columbus to deliver accessible, high-quality programming while strengthening Columbus’ creative economy and showcasing local talent. No grant funds will be used for any food or beverage expenses.
Since the organization lacks the funding necessary to operate the program fully on a reimbursement basis, funds will be advanced to CMH Fashion Week, Inc. in support of Fashion Week Columbus programming.
Fiscal Impact: Funding ($20,000.00) is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to ensure a timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program. Fashion Week begins November 8, 2026 and runs through November 14, 2026. Thirty day legislation would not go into effect until well after the conclusion of Fashion Week, preventing a timely issuance of financial support.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week, Inc. in support of Fashion Week Columbus programming; to authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, CMH Fashion Week creates opportunities for fashion entrepreneurs in Columbus and promotes Columbus as a destination, contributing to local culture and economic activity; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide support for essential programs and event expenses associated with Fashion Week Columbus this November; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week Inc. in support of Fashion Week Columbus, to ensure the timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program prior to the program's schedule start date of November 8, 2026, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with the CMH Fashion Week, Inc. in support of Fashion Week Columbus programming, in the amount of up to $20,000.00.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds shall be paid in advance to CMH Fashion Week, Inc. in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for continuation of the program.
SECTION 4. 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 legislation.
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.