Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 2007, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Columbus City Council established the Create Columbus Commission, an organization of over 30 young professionals dedicated to identifying and implementing selected strategies and tactics that will help Columbus attract and retain young and talented individuals. Next Generation Consulting was hired to study the current trends of young people in Columbus. As part of the contract they also provided an action plan to retain and attract young professionals to the area. To date, the research has been completed, the recommendations have been presented and approved, and successful program implementation is ongoing.
In order to continue the implementation of said action plan, the City of Columbus will contract with the United Way of Central Ohio to administer Create Columbus Young Professionals Grants Program. The mission of the Create Columbus grants program is to support initiatives by and for young professionals that make Columbus the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Each applicant can request any amount up to $10,000, keeping in mind the goal of the program is to provide strategic funding for innovative efforts with broad reach.
There are three goals of the YP Grants Program:
1. Encourage and support residents to launch innovative, community based initiatives with a specific young professionals component;
2. Provide strategic financial support for one-time costs for events, initiatives or programs that impact young professionals, and/or
3. Improve the young professional experience in the following areas: (1) Careers, (2) Culture, Arts, Sports, and Entertainment, (3) Neighborhoods, and (4) Transportation.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the United Way of Central Ohio for $70,000 as funding to establish the Create Columbus Young Professionals Grants Program, a component of the attraction and retention initiative. The U...
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