Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Orange Hearts for Makenzi Foundation in support of a new training program to support young entrepreneurs.
Makenzi Ridley was tragically killed in the summer of 2021 shortly after her high school graduation. Makenzi was an entrepreneur, running a home décor and beauty boutique with plans to open a food truck. In her honor, the Orange Hearts for Makenzi Foundation has developed a six-week training program for teen entrepreneurs.
Orange Hearts targets at-risk youth and disadvantaged young adults in Columbus who are interested in entrepreneurship. Through the six-week program, participants receive coaching, mentoring, and technical support. Participants have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards their work by presenting business plans.
Entrepreneurship is a unique and critical path to economic advancement. According to a Fidelity Investment study, 88% of millionaires are self-made. According to Pew Research, 16 million Americans are self-employed. Equipping young people with the tools for business ownership will help fill the gap of education and create paths to financial independence.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure the timely launch of this summer program for Columbus youth.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Orange Hearts for Makenzi Foundation to support the creation of a youth-focused entrepreneurship program; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Job Growth subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Orange Hearts for Makenzi targets at-risk youth and disadvantaged young adults in Columbus pursuing entrepreneurship; and
WHEREAS, entrepreneurship provides unique paths to success and financial stability for Columbus youth; and
WHEREAS, in memoriam of Makenzi Ridley, a Columbus youth and dedicated entrepreneur whose life was tragically taken; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Orange Hearts for Makenzi to ensure the timely launch of this summer program for Columbus youth, for the 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Orange Hearts for Makenzi in support of their youth entrepreneurship program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That for the reasons 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 from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.