Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a grant agreement with the Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity (Women’s CEO), a local nonprofit on a mission to advance economic equity and elevate women of color.
The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity empowers individuals to turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into scalable ventures that contribute to the growth and prosperity of their community and all of Columbus. In doing so, the Center pursues the advancement of economic equity, inclusion, and justice.
This grant will support the Women’s CEO Advancing Innovation Momentum (AIM) Bootcamp. These programs are designed to introduce aspiring entrepreneurs to industries with high-growth potential, supporting them with business-planning and network-building consultation. Industries for City-supported bootcamps will be selected in collaboration with the City and may include specific consultation to entrepreneurs on their pathways to City contracting.
Emergency Designation: Preparations for the AIM Bootcamps are intended to begin in April, and City support is necessary in order to fund the launch of this work. In order to provide timely financial support for the programming, emergency action is requested.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a grant agreement with The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity (Women’s CEO) in support of their Advancing Innovation Momentum (AIM) Bootcamp program; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Job Growth subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to support diverse entrepreneurs in the city of Columbus who are on a pathway of growth and investing in their businesses through efforts to upskill and seek mentorship and networking opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity supports aspiring entrepreneurs who are interested in the opportunities available in high-growth industries; and
WHEREAS, entrepreneurship in high-growth industries is supportive of wealth generation, job creation, and economic growth for underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Office of the Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a grant agreement with the Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity in support of their Advancing Innovation Momentum (AIM) Bootcamp program that is intended to begin in April, in an amount of up to $50,000.00; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity in support of their Advancing Innovation Momentum (AIM) Bootcamp program, in an amount of up to $50,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Job Growth subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.