Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes a contract in the amount of $700,000 with Columbus 2020!. These funds provide City resources for aggressive action with key business and government contacts for business relocation, expansion, and retention in the downtown area, central city neighborhoods, and growth areas. In addition, these funds represent commitment to Columbus 2020!'s efforts related to the City's continued interest in workforce development, area wide marketing, creation and nurturing of entrepreneurship, and investment in public sector infrastructure.
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the resulting creation and retention of jobs.
Fiscal Impact: The funding for this contract ($700,000) is fully budgeted within the 2011 General Fund operating budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Columbus 2020! for economic development activities associated with business relocation, expansion, and retention as well as other activities related to the City's continued interest in workforce development, marketing, and entrepreneurship; to authorize the expenditure of $700,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($700,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus 2020! is a bold, new public-private partnership that will leverage Central Ohio's diverse industries, research and academic institutions, and entrepreneurship to position Columbus to become the fastest growing economy in the country and one of the nation's leaders in economic development; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus 2020! initiative, an aggressive economic development strategy, will grow our economy by ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, attract new companies to the community, and encourage innovation; and
WHEREAS, the City's participation will help leverage approximately $4 million in private investment to promote job growth and investment within the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, these funds also represent commitment by Columbus2020! to the City's ongoing interests and efforts related to workforce development, marketing, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Columbus2020! is committed to employ a workforce that is reflective of the City; and
WHEREAS, Columbus2020!, on behalf of the City, has agreed to aggressively pursue these interests in a mutually supportive manner; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Columbus 2020! in order to facilitate the resulting creation and retention of jobs, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property 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 contract with Columbus 2020! for economic development activities associated with business relocation, expansion, and retention as well as other activities related to the City's continued interest in workforce development, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division No. 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440314.
Section 3. That this agreement is awarded in accordance with Chapter 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 4. 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.