Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of providing support to the Urban Business Connection Program, which is a partnership between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Urban League, to authorize the expenditure $200,000.00 in support of the program, and to allow for reimbursement of expenses beginning January 1, 2023.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Columbus Chamber) is the largest chamber in the Columbus region and with membership comes access to great opportunities for participating businesses in the Columbus community. The workforce development, government advocacy efforts, and business solutions ensure businesses in the Columbus Region grow and thrive.
In an effort to reach a broader net of the Columbus business community, the Columbus Chamber and Columbus Urban League combined efforts to advance a shared priority of improving racial inequities, specifically amongst black entrepreneurs and businesses. Through this collaboration, the City's grant funds will assist the Chamber in providing free memberships to one hundred black-owned businesses for the 2023 fiscal year. Through this Urban Business Connection Program, businesses have access to a suite of services (including business connections, specialized consultations, research capabilities for targeted expansion, government advocacy, and member pricing at Columbus Chamber events), as well as expanded services in marketing and visibility in the Columbus community. The City of Columbus funds will help expand participation for up to 30 black-owned businesses for a new cohort size of 100, and develop key partnerships that foster the stabilization and growth of minority-owned businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance number, 006073, is active and expires on 02/22/24.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a non-profit grant agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in support of the Urban Business Connection Program; to allow for reimbursement of expenses beginning January 1, 2023; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Jobs Growth subfund. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Chamber and Columbus Urban League will combine efforts to grant free Chamber memberships to thirty black-owned businesses for the 2023 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, these businesses will have a suite of services, as well as expanded services in marketing and visibility in the Columbus community through the Urban Business Connection Program; and
WHEREAS, continued financial support will help expand participation and develop key partnerships that foster the stabilization and growth of minority-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $200,000.00 to support the above program; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a non-profit grant agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in support of the Urban Business Connection Program in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 and to allow reimbursement of expenses beginning January 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the sum of $200,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100015 (Jobs Growth Subfund) Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100015 (Jobs Growth Subfund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding non-profit grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.