Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Fashion Initiative (CFI), a non-profit organization, in an amount up to $375,000.00 in support of the organization’s mission to support growth and unity of fashion based businesses and to unify and strengthen the Columbus fashion ecosystem with focus on the Franklinton community. Funds will be advanced per an advancement schedule included in the contract.
The mission of the Columbus Fashion Initiative is to move fashion forward, Further, CFI seeks to enhance Columbus’s culture into one that equips, fosters, and supports emerging designers and brands in the ultimate quest to become and sustain Columbus as a regionally, nationally, and internationally respected fashion hub. By cultivating education, community, imagination, and opportunity, CFI strives to become a fashion manufacturing and innovation leader while building an alliance of stakeholders from across all domains of the fashion and retail ecosystem. While open and accessible to all, CFI emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion within the sector by intentionally engaging existing and emerging designers, producers, and artist of color. The Columbus market is a leader in fashion design, making it essential to support small business fashion entrepreneurs.
CFI achieves this through the following initiatives: (1) training, education, and workforce development; (2) infrastructure for a co-working space, small batch production, and a library of educational resources; (3) workshops and collaborations with local partners to encourage innovation in the industry; and (4) pop up retail markets.
Columbus City Council, per ordinance number 0691-2022, passed on March 21, 2022, provided up to $375,000 in support of Columbus Fashion Alliance (aka CFI). Columbus City Council, per ordinance number 2033-2021, passed on July 26, 2021, provided up to $300,000 in support ...
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