City of Columbus - File #: 1054-2005

• File #: 1054-2005
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/1/2005
• In control: Jobs and Economic Development Committee
• On agenda: 6/27/2005
• Final action: 6/30/2005
• Title: To authorize the appropriation of $100,000 to the Development Department within the Jobs Growth Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Greater Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce to support the work of its Entrepreneurship Steering Committee; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00).

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/30/2005	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
6/29/2005	1	MAYOR	Signed
6/27/2005	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
6/27/2005	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO-TEM	Signed
6/14/2005	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT (approver)	Reviewed and Approved
6/14/2005	1	Council Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
6/13/2005	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/13/2005	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
6/13/2005	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/10/2005	1	Council Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/10/2005	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
6/10/2005	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved

Explanation

BACKGROUND:
Over the past year, City Council created a Jobs and Economic Development Committee devoted to job creation and economic growth. Council also set aside a $2 million Job Growth Initiatives Fund in the 2005 budget with the purpose of actively seeking key job creation investment opportunities that employ Columbus workers and strengthen the City's income tax revenues to pay for critical city services.

Studies like that recently released by the Brookings Institute reinforce the strategy that job creation depends on fostering enterpreneurship. Already in Columbus, two thirds of all employees work in a small business. Thus, it is well within the City's interest to strengthen the quality of support services dedicated to fledgling company founders.

The Greater Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce formed an Entrepreneurship Steering Committee (ESC) in 1997 to to support entrepreneurs, foster small business growth, and lead and support economic development in central Ohio. The ESC strives to provide entrepreneurs timely access to quality resources and business opportunities. In 2005, ESC activities will include building a website in collaboration with The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business to provide a comprehensive, customized guide on how to launch a new business venture, identifying all available local resources and the tools to tap them appropriately. This venture, funded by both public and private dollars, is deemed an appropriate use of the Jobs Growth Fund by Council member Mary Jo Hudson, chair of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee.

Emergency action is requested so that the contract with the Greater Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce can be executed immediately and continue its work to facilitate job growth in Columbus.


Contract Compliance #: 31-4152950 (non profit)


FISCAL IMPACT:
The funding for this contract will come from the $2 million Job Growth Initiatives Fund. The ESC is also seek...