Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter a grant agreement, in the amount of $100,000.00, with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber’s New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program. The New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program will strategically support and engage the immigration and refugee business community in achieving success and contributing to the substantial growth of the region’s economy. The services and resources will be advantageous for the business community to access more information and connect to more services provided by local government agencies and other organizations. This business accelerator will help entrepreneurs and small businesses focus on rapid growth and navigate organizational, operational, and strategic difficulties in business.
The program will include four key components. These components are: (1) Workforce Development; (2) Business Navigation for New and Emerging Citizens; (3) Supplier Connection for New and Emerging Citizens and (4) Membership Benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT: $100,000.00 is budgeted in the 2024 General Fund Budget but will require transfer from Object Class 03 to Object Class 05.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 006012 and expires on 5/23/26.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, in an amount up to $100,000.00, for the New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $100,000.00 from the 2024 General Fund Operating Budget; and to authorize the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program is a new program that will strategically support and engage the immigration and refugee business community in achieving success and contributing to the substantial growth of the region’s economy; and
WHEREAS, the services and resources will be advantageous for the business community to access more information and connect to more services provided by local government agencies and other organizations; and
WHEREAS, this business accelerator will help entrepreneurs and small businesses focus on rapid growth and navigate organizational, operational, and strategic difficulties in business; and
WHEREAS, the program will include four key components including: (1) Workforce Development; (2) Business Navigation for New and Emerging Citizens; (3) Supplier Connection for New and Emerging Citizens; and (4) Membership Benefits; and
WHEREAS, funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of supporting the New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, in an amount up to $100,000.00, to support the New and Emerging Citizens Business Connection Program; and is authorized to advance funds per a schedule to be included in the agreement.
Section 2. That the transfer of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), object Class 03 (Services) to Dept.Div 44-02 (Economic Development), object class 05 (Other Expenditures) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 05 (Other Expenditures) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
Section 4. That this grant agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
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 contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.