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For Information Only Presented: Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017 Report Date Wednesday, Feb 08, GSDC Board Update to Council 2017 Type: Presentations

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For Information Only Presented: Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017 Report Date Wednesday, Feb 08, GSDC Board Update to Council 2017 Type: Presentations Presented To: City Council For Information Only Presented: Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017 Report Date Wednesday, Feb 08, GSDC Board Update to Council 2017 Type: Presentations Resolution Signed By For Information Only Recommended by the Department Finance Implications Ian Wood Director of Economic Development There are no financial implications. Digitally Signed Feb 8, 17 Recommended by the C.A.O. Ed Archer Chief Administrative Officer Digitally Signed Feb 10, 17 BACKGROUND As per the motion passed by the City of Greater Sudbury Priorities Committee on February 21, 2007, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) will provide updates on progress with respect to investments in economic development projects, programs and activities. The following is a synopsis of the projects that have received financial support and their expected economic impact for Greater Sudbury. The GSDC is the economic development arm of the City of Greater Sudbury. The Board of Directors is comprised of fourteen community volunteers and four members of City Council. The GSDC Board is entrusted by City Council to oversee investment decisions using municipal dollars and has the fiduciary responsibility to ensure that investments align with our economic development strategic plan and advance our city and its economy. The following report summarizes the activities of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation and the City’s Economic Development Division between June 2016 and December 2016. These activities include investments made by the GSDC through the Economic Development Fund, details on the recipients of the Arts and Culture Operating and Project Grants, the results of the GSDC’s Board Prioritization Session for 2017, as well as highlighted activities supporting the goals of the From the Ground Up strategic plan. INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (June 2016 – December 2016) Between June 2016 and December 2016, the GSDC Board has approved support for four projects through the Economic Development Fund totaling $141,000. These funds will leverage an estimated additional $2,726,689 from other sources. The investments are expected to directly result in the creation of 15 permanent full-time job and 14 temporary or permanent part-time positions. In addition to direct job creation, these projects will have a significant indirect impact on the local economy and the community as a whole. 1. Rainbow Routes-Take a Hike GSDC Board Motion #2016-064 Passed August 3rd, 2016 WHEREAS From the Ground Up acknowledges that non-motorized trails help contribute to our quality of life and place, as well as the importance of improving choice and connectivity of transportation routes through the support of organizations like Rainbow Routes Association; and, 1 WHEREAS Rainbow Routes Association is preparing to launch the Take a Hike project to increase programming and awareness; boost organizational capacity; and, implement new tracking and reporting infrastructure to assist in ongoing trail development, way-finding and infrastructure gaps, as well as help direct and inform their promotional efforts; and, WHEREAS Rainbow Routes Association acknowledges and will work to increase promotional efforts of the trail system as a tourism offering; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation support Rainbow Routes’ Economic Development Fund request in the amount of $9,000 for Take a Hike project; and, That Rainbow Routes Association report on deliverables as outlined in the application; and, Further, that the Sudbury Tourism logo be supported and used on its communication materials. Project Description Rainbow Routes is launching the “Take a Hike” project to increase their programming and user experience as well as increasing their ability to track, analyze and report data that will support their ongoing efforts in trail development and promotion. In late 2016 the project was renamed to “Explore Sudbury”. Explore Sudbury will hire one full time staff for up to two years, will increase user and volunteer engagement and participation, will purchase and install trail counters, and review and improve the way- finding infrastructure. As the project is heavily funded by the Ontario Sport and Recreation Community Fund, the programming will have a broad mandate to promote a number of safe, convenient and enjoyable routes to the whole community. The program is intended to be inclusive of all community members, but there will be special attention to low income families and the tourism marketing potential. Rainbow Routes Association will work with Tourism staff to review the local and external marketing potential of the hikes, and ensure promotion is developed in both French and English. 2. March of Dimes- ABI Housing GSDC Board Motion #2016-065 Passed August 3rd, 2016 WHEREAS the March of Dimes is seeking the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation’s support for the construction of a new supportive housing facility for individuals suffering an acquired brain injury; and, 2 WHEREAS this project will generate significant employment; and WHEREAS the Community Economic Development Strategic Plan for Greater Sudbury, From the Ground Up, identifies a being a Leader in Health and Life Sciences as one of its nine economic development goals; and WHEREAS the March of Dimes has a proven track record in providing supportive housing to individuals suffering an acquired brain injury; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation Board of Directors support the March of Dimes with a contribution from the Economic Development Fund of: • $75,000 in 2016; and, • $75,000 in 2017 THAT this funding be conditional upon the achievement of the proponent’s fundraising goals and be subject to a 10 per cent holdback to be released upon project completion; and, FURTHER, that the City of Greater Sudbury logo be supported and used on all communication materials, billboards, plaques, etc. associated with the project. Project Description The March of Dimes is proposing to build a new supportive housing facility for individuals living with the effects of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) on the same site as the existing Wade Hampton House, located at 2915 Bancroft Drive. The new building will be similar in design and purpose to the Wade Hampton House (built in 2011) in terms of layout and configuration, but will be a 12,300 sq. ft. purpose-built facility as opposed to a retrofit of an existing 9,700 sq ft. former school. The new facility will include six bedrooms in the congregate living section as well as six apartments to enable some residents a higher degree of independence. In addition to the accommodation space, the facility will also include a large shared living room, a smaller living room/den, games room, a large shared kitchen/dining area, laundry facilities, meeting space, and offices. This new facility is expected to sustain over 27 net new jobs (14 full-time and 13 part-time positions. However, the project is waiting on matching funding from various funders before moving forward with construction. 3 3. Replenishment of Special Projects Fund GSDC Board Motion #2016-067 Passed September 14th, 2016 That the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation Board of Directors approves the allocation of $45,000 from the 2016 Economic Development Fund to the GSDC Special Projects Fund. Special Projects Fund Description The Special Projects Fund is used at the discretion of the GSDC Executive Committee, to provide support of up to $10,000 at a time to initiatives that advance the goal of economic development within Greater Sudbury. A list of projects that have been supported between May 2015 and December 2016 is detailed below: Naturalia Conference $5,000 AMRIC- BioMe Conference $1,500 Laurentian University- sponsorship for Bureau des affaires Francophones $5,000 Northern Ontario Business Awards sponsorship $3,500 International Student Recruitment Familiarization Tour $10,000 Synergy Centre $10,000 Bridges to Better Business Conference $10,000 Goodman School of Mines- Goodman Gold Challenge $2,500 Sudbury Game Design Challenge $2,000 Total Paid and Committed Funds : $49, 500 4. Downtown Sudbury - Win This Space GSDC Board Motion #2016-075 Passed November 9th, 2016 WHEREAS the Downtown Sudbury BIA represents downtown businesses and property owners with the aim of supporting the growth of the downtown; and, WHEREAS the Downtown Sudbury BIA is seeking the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation’s support for its first ever “Win This Space” competition in an effort to spur entrepreneurship in the downtown; and, WHEREAS the “Win This Space” competition is an innovative business recruitment initiative, designed to encourage new and aspiring entrepreneurs to put their business ideas into action; and, 4 WHEREAS the Community Economic Development Strategic Plan for Greater Sudbury, From the Ground Up, identifies the development of more business incubation spaces and downtown revitalization as stated goals; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation Board of Directors support Downtown Sudbury’s request with a contribution of $12,000 from the Economic Development Fund; and, THAT Downtown Sudbury report on the deliverables identified in the application; and, THAT this funding be subject to a 10 per cent holdback to be released upon project completion; and, FURTHER, that the City of Greater Sudbury logo be supported and used on all communication materials, billboards, plaques, etc. associated with the project. Project Description Win This Space
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