Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with The Columbus Urban League (CUL) in the amount up to $50,000.00, with an option to renew for one additional year, for the purpose of providing funding to the Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC). Specific services shall be provided to the Resiliency Focus Project for Minority & Women & Small Businesses. The program was created in response to the COVID-19 impact on small businesses owned by minorities and women.
The Columbus Urban League is the host of the Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center, servicing the needs of Ohio’s small, minority, and socially economically disadvantaged businesses. The Center provides important services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contract opportunities. A primary objective of the program is to identify emerging businesses and cultivate growth and sustainability. The realization of this objective will strengthen the minority business community, support job creation and further economic growth in Columbus as well as the State of Ohio. The Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center is committed to establishing a network of industry partners to ensure that MBAC clients receive the assistance needed to sustain and grow.
The CUL/MBAC created the Resiliency Focus Project for Minority & Women & Small Businesses to remediate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on small businesses owned by minorities and women. The City of Columbus and Franklin County sponsored this program. The program:
• provides access of immediate, personalized business counseling and technical assistance to eligible businesses through one on one and group counseling to identify strategies to remain operational and profitable and
• identifies specially targeted financial products (i.e. Zero-interest working capital loans and distress grants) that are available to small businesses owned by minorities and women.
To meet these added responsibilities, CUL requires the following supporting resource needs for the successful execution of the fund:
• updated website portal for online applications/review and approvals. A web-based tracking and reporting tool, to ensure the “real time” collection of RFP data.
• Additional staffing, including, but not limited to a program manager and administrative support.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 006073 and expires 6/09/25.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the 2025 Economic Development Operating Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Columbus Urban League in the amount up to $50,000.00, with an option to renew for one additional year, for the purpose of providing funding to the Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) for their Resiliency Focus Project for Minority & Women & Small Businesses; to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $50,000.00 from the 2025 Economic Development General Fund budget. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus seeks to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Columbus Urban League in an amount up to $50,000.00 for the purpose of supporting the Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center’s new Resiliency Focus Project for Minority & Women & Small Businesses; and
WHEREAS, an expenditure in an amount up to $50,000.00 is authorized from the 2025 Economic Development General Fund budget; and
WHEREAS, the contract may be renewed for one additional year in an amount up to 50,000.00 after the successful completion of the first year; and
WHEREAS, the program has made a tangible difference for businesses in the Columbus community with owners gaining access to critical resources, from financial literacy training to certification guidance that helped businesses pursue new opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Resiliency Focus Project program will provide access of immediate, personalized business counseling and technical assistance to eligible businesses through one on one and group counseling to identify strategies to remain operational and profitable and identify specially targeted financial products (i.e. Zero-interest working capital loans and distress grants) that are available to small businesses owned by minorities and women; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus desires to continue to provide funding to the Columbus Regional Minority Business Assistance Center to continue to strength the business community and drive economic inclusion; 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 not-for-profit service contract with the Columbus Urban League in an amount up to $50,000.00, with the option to renew for one additional year, for the purpose of providing funding to the Columbus Region Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) for their Resiliency Focus Project for Minority & Women & Small Businesses.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.