Explanation
BACHGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with The Central Ohio Minority Business Association (COMBA). COMBA is a non-profit agency founded in 1978. Through its programs and services, entrepreneurial development assistance and high-end business consulting to start-up and emerging businesses are provided to interested participants. Services are provided at "no cost" to the client and all services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.
During the last five years, COMBA has provided one-to-one consulting services to over 4060 existing and potential business persons. From these businesses, over 432 jobs were created and 797 jobs retained. The business owners were also awarded contracts in the amount of $27,963,129; and awarded loans in the amount of $9,730,487. Over 480 conferences and workshops were facilitated with over 8,794 participants in attendance.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Central Ohio Minority Business Association for $50,000 for administrative costs associated with increased employment opportunities and business growth in the City of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: $50,000 has been allocated from the 2014 General Fund budget for this initiative.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Central Ohio Minority Business Association; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Minority Business Association (COMBA) is a non-profit agency founded in 1978; and
WHEREAS, COMBA provides entrepreneurial development assistance and high-end business consulting to start-up and emerging businesses through its programs and services; and
WHEREAS, COMBA services are provided at "no cost" to the client and all services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis; and
WHEREAS, $50,000 is available from the 2014 General Fund budget for administrative costs for COMBA; and
WHEREAS, COMBA desires to enter into an agreement with the City for administrative costs associated with programs and services for start-up and emerging businesses; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow COMBA to continue providing services to start-up and emerging businesses in a timely 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 COMBA to avoid an interruption in the delivery of program services, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the Central Ohio Minority Business Association for administrative costs associated with start-up and emerging businesses.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $50,000 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 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440314.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 5. That for the reason 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither neither approves nor vetoes the same.