Council Votes to Review Burlington Economic Development Corporation and TechPlace
The results of the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force, coupled with the change in leadership at the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and on city council following the municipal election, provides a new opportunity to review the efficiency, effectiveness and optimal structure for the BEDC and TechPlace and look into the potential of a Municipal Development Corporation with the goal of keeping and attracting new businesses to our city.On July 15, Burlington Council approved my MO-04-19 BEDC and MDC Consideration V2 report that recommended a review of BEDC and TechPlace. Related Appendices MO-04-19 Appendix E - BEDC 2019 Approved Budget / MO-04-19 Appendix F - TechPlace Budget 2019 are available online as well.The following recommendations were approved:
- Authorize the issuance of a Request for Proposal to an upset limit of $100,000 from Strategic Planning Reserve Fund to review and report back to council by December 2019:
- a. on the efficiency, effectiveness and optimal structure of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and TechPlace in achieving the city’s business attraction and retention goals, including but not limited to bringing BEDC in-house under the City Manager.
- b. Review the opportunities and optimal structure of a Municipal Development Corporation in achieving the city’s business attraction and retention goals; incorporate any changes in economic development functions arising from the provincial Regional Review, the results of which are expected in November 2019; and
- Authorize the Mayor and City Manager to form a steering committee to develop the terms of reference, oversee the work of the consultant(s) and engage council and the BEDC/TechPlace staff & board in the process, with representation on the steering committee from: Mayor’s Office, City Manager’s office, Capital Works, Planning, Legal, and Finance departments, BEDC/TechPlace staff & board, Regional Economic Development department, Ward 5 Councillor appointee on BEDC Board, Ward 1 Councillor, co-chair of Red Tape Red Carpet initiative; and
- Include this strategic initiative in the Council Workplan as a priority time-dated action item under the City Manager.
MY TAKE:The review of the BEDC and TechPlace is not intended to be a negative comment on their work, quite the opposite — we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about them from businesses through the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force focus groups. But it’s prudent to do reviews of our organizations periodically and we know one hasn’t been done in a while with respect to the BEDC. This exercise is to review the efficiency, effectiveness and optimal structure for BEDC/TechPlace and the potential for a Municipal Development Corporation (MDC) to ensure the city is well-positioned to retain and attract business in Burlington.RELATED LINK: