Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Columbus Department of Development is proposing to enter into a Columbus Downtown Office Incentive with Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft (Basecraft).
Founded in 2013 by Christopher Hamrick, Basecraft is a creative marketing agency that specializes in branding and marketing. The company is unique to the industry in that it encompasses all aspects of branding including website function and design as well as interior office design and packaging. Chris has played the lead role in re-imaging the entire footprint of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, helping DSW and Bath & Body Works elevate their brand experiences online. Chris earned his degree in Marketing and eBusiness from the University of Akron; afterwards, he spent a couple of years working with brands like Moen and Goodyear. He then went on to start his first agency, Hamrick Creative where he created experiences for Jeni's, Paradise Garage, Collier West, and more. In 2009, Chris sold Hamrick Creative and joined CareWorks Tech as their first Creative Director. After a three year tenure at CareWorks, he resigned to start Basecraft.
Basecraft is proposing to expand its corporate headquarters by investing approximately $110,000 in leasehold improvements, which includes machinery and equipment. The company will enter into a lease agreement for additional office space in the Fifth Third Center consisting of approximately 3,000 square feet, retain 6 full-time jobs and create 30 new full-time permanent positions with an estimated annual salary of approximately $1.2 million within the Downtown Business District. Basecraft would qualify for the Columbus Downtown Office Incentive in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the payroll taxes paid on the new positions or approximately $45,000.00 over a term of three (3) years. The Development Department recommends granting the Columbus Downtown Office Incentive program to Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement with Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft as provided in Columbus City Council Resolution 0088X-2007, adopted June 4, 2007.
Body
WHEREAS, the City desires to increase employment opportunities and encourage establishment of new jobs in the City in order to improve the overall economic climate of the City and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 0088X-2007, adopted June 4, 2007, authorized the Department of Development to establish the Columbus Downtown Office Incentive program as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has received a completed application for the Columbus Downtown Office Incentive program from Basecraft; and
WHEREAS, Basecraft is proposing to expand its corporate headquarters by entering into a lease agreement for additional office space in the Fifth Third Center consisting of approximately 3,000 square feet; and
WHEREAS, Basecraft plans to invest approximately $110,000 in leasehold improvements, which includes machinery and equipment, retain 6 full-time jobs and create 30 new full-time permanent positions with an estimated annual salary of approximately $1.2 million at 21 E. State Street, Suite 1850 Columbus, Ohio 43215, generating approximately $30,000 annually in new City of Columbus income tax revenue; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. Columbus City Council authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement with Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft, pursuant to Columbus City Council Resolution 0088X-2007, for an annual cash payment equal to fifty percent (50%) of the amount of City withholding tax withheld on new employees for a term of three (3) years on the estimated job creation of 30 new full-time permanent positions located at 21 State Street, Suite 1850 Columbus, Ohio 43215.
SECTION 2. Each year of the term of the agreement with Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft that a payment is due, the City's obligation to pay the incentive is expressly contingent upon the passing of an ordinance appropriating and authorizing the expenditure of monies sufficient to make such payment and the certification of the City Auditor pursuant to Section 159 of the Columbus City Charter.
SECTION 3. That the City of Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement is signed by Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft within 90 days of passage of this ordinance, or this ordinance and the credit herein shall be null and void.
SECTION 4. The City Council hereby extends authority to the Director of the Department of Development to amend the Christopher Hamrick, dba Basecraft City of Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement for certain modifications to the agreement requested in writing by the company and or the City and deemed appropriate by the Director of Development with these modifications being specifically limited to reductions in length of term, methods of calculating the incentive, or adding or deleting business entities associated with the employment commitments related to this incentive. All other requested amendments must be approved by City Council.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.