Town of Sidney AGENDA Economic Development Commission Meeting Thursday, June 22 nd, 2017 9:00 am Arbutus Room, Sidney Town Hall 1. Review and approval of agenda 2. Review and approval of Minutes of the previous meeting 3. Location of Pedestrian Counters (Andrew) 4. Update on Communication project- Erin, Susan a. Report on BC Economic Development Association Summit (David C. Erin) b. Report on Labour Market Forum (David C.) 5. Update on West side and Harbour Road registry - Denny, Robin and David Dukes 6. Review of revised Economic Development Commission Strategy 7. Councillor Report to EDC 8. Review of Standing Items 9. Next meeting date and time
Town of Sidney MINUTES Economic Development Commission Meeting Thursday, June 1 st, 2017 9:00 am Arbutus Room, Sidney Town Hall Present: David Calveley - Chair, Geri Byrne, Chris Cowland, Councillor Erin Bremner Mitchell, Julie Sneddon, Robin Richardson, Denny Warner, Donna Petrie Staff: Randy Humble, CAO, Andrew Hicik- Director of Corporate Services, Paula Kully Recording Clerk Regrets: Susan Norman, David Dukes Guests: Emily de Rosenroll (SIPP), Councillor Peter Wainwright, John Juricic Meeting called to order by the Chair at 9:00 am 1. Review and approval of agenda Moved by G. Byrne, seconded by D. Warner that the agenda be approved as distributed. CARRIED 2. Review and approval of Minutes of the previous meeting Moved by E. Bremner-Mitchell, seconded by R. Richardson that the minutes of the May 12, 2017 meeting be approved as distributed. CARRIED 3. Presentation by Emilie de Rosenroll of SIPP - Emily provided an overview of what SIPP has accomplished in the first year of operation. This was followed by a Q & A with EDC members. - Emily will provide full list of member businesses. - She will be meeting with Central Saanich in one month. - SIPP will be sending a delegation to Asia, the EDC is welcome to send materials with her. - SIPP has adopted a regional attitude despite some municipalities not paying into the organization. 4. Invitation from John Juricic to attend Attracting, Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Workers on June 21 st from 9:00 am 3:00 pm at the Schneider Electric office - Denny Warner, Erin Bremner-Mitchell to attend
EDC Minutes June 1, 2017 5. Tourism Vancouver Island Annual Conference & AGM in Sidney - Donna advised that the discount rate is $200. She will advise if any discount seats are available to EDC members. - There will be approximately 180 delegates attending and the event has never been held in Sidney. 6. Update on Communication project - Erin, Susan - The group will be meeting with Town IT to fill in gaps with the current ED section of the website. Moved by E. Bremner-Mitchell, seconded by G. Byrne, that the EDC outsource the community profile and gap analysis to the same company. Erin, Julie and David will draft terms of reference for board s approval CARRIED - A request will send out to the 3 companies that have already been contacted. 7. Update on West side and Harbour Road registry - Denny, Robin and David Dukes - The group has concentrated on west Sidney. The have 140 companies listed and have begun contacting them. They are finding some companies are secretive about details. - Denny has been walking around and confirming of businesses on the list are correct. - Chamber students are working on contacting by phone and are waiting for many callbacks. - Common issue is lack of available space. 8. Review of revised Economic Development Commission Strategy - Geri has sent previous edits to the executive and will now send the final draft to the entire board. - The final draft will be on the next agenda. 9. Councillor Report to EDC - John Juricic of Sidney Breakfast Club is organizing the resurrection of Edutech and approached Erin and Councillor P. Wainwright. They have submitted a letter to the school board and have offered support to have students attend. - Vendors will consist of local tech businesses with a focus on attracting youth to work in the industry. - Looking for more volunteers to organize and engage youth. 10. Review of Standing Items - Delete invitation to SIPP and EDC awards - Update on pedestrian counter - install date is next Tuesday - Add to standing items: Julie and Chris to develop business exit survey, Donna and Julie to develop entry survey 11. Next meeting date and time: Thursday, June 22 nd Meeting adjourned at 10:31 am
EDC Minutes June 1, 2017 Chair Date
TOWN OF SIDNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2018 Message from the Commission The Strategic Plan will provide the guiding vision for the Sidney Economic Development Commissioner as we navigate through our terms. It will be a tool we can reflect upon every two years and will serve as an effective means of evaluation towards our economic development progress having the most significant and positive impact on our community, government partners and business. Background The Economic Development Commission was created by Council to support the Town of Sidney in accomplishing its goal of establishing a resilient economy in partnership with the community and key stakeholders. The mandate of this select committee is to enhance the environment for economic development in Sidney through Council approved initiatives that will facilitate business development and attraction and enable our community to grow and thrive. One of the first tasks of the EDC was to create a Terms of Reference that would frame the EDC s core objectives as they moved forward with their work. In February 2017, the EDC presented council a comprehensive review of the Commission s work to date along with a two-year work plan that is intended to identify projects and actions in support of the core objectives. Our Mission The Sidney Economic Development Commission will promote economic growth by supporting the local business community, as well as the Town s efforts to attract new people, companies and investment. We facilitate this by building strong relationships and collaboration with the business community, while identifying opportunities that will improve and grow business activity in all of Sidney. 1
TOWN OF SIDNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2018 Goals & Objectives OBJECTIVE GOALS ACTION / PROJECTS DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE AND ACHEIVALBE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THAT WILL IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES AND SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE TOWN OF SIDNEY Identify primary economic drivers Support the continued sustainability and growth of business Create synergies among our regional partners and stakeholders - Prepare bi annual summary and analysis of EDC projects and work in progress for council - Prepare a Economic Development strategic plan for council - Complete Phase 1 Vacancy Register Report (Sidney Downtown) - Complete Phase 2 Vacancy Register Report (Sidney West Industrial Area) - Complete Phase 3 Vacancy Register for Harbour Road - Present a funding budget proposal for Council consideration for 2017/18 - Align Sidney & Economic Development initiatives with SIPP - Attend SIPP meetings, workshops to stay informed - Participate SBIA & Chamber Events, SBC breakfast meetings - Actively engage with Sidney property owners 2
TOWN OF SIDNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2018 ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION (BR & E) INITIATIVES Research Business Retention & Expansion programs and tactics Support existing businesses, (attraction of new business becomes easier if existing businesses are remaining in Sidney and expanding) - Diversify and expand our business base through Business Development strategies - Pilot business seminars, webinars, workshops on behalf of EDC - Develop resources materials to support business development program Create a trademark communications plan that substantiates the branding of the EDC and its community role - Develop a comprehensive communication presence that generates a positive buzz, promotes community engagement, with supporting metrics, updated and professionally developed website - Establish tools to encourage new business to consider Sidney as they look to establish themselves or relocate - ASSIST IN THE PROMOTION OF REVITALIZATION EFFORTS ON DOWNTOWN SIDNEY Strengthen cooperation and trust, develop ongoing communications with various agencies and organizations to enhance the public image of Downtown Sidney - EDC attendance Chamber and SBIA, Streetscape, community functions and workshops - Host meeting with the SBIA to engage property/business owners 3
TOWN OF SIDNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2018 HELP FOSTER AN ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR Attraction & Retention of high level value-added economic activity Understand the issues and contributions of West Sidney businesses, be aware of lost market share on innovation Give visibility to our success stories Find ways to promote the local business role in supporting the local economy - Provide data, surveys and website information as a cornerstone of a business recruitment strategy - Target sectors for recruitment that fit with the assets and opportunities in our region (SIPP) - Develop community profile, web based application to include a business resource guide, as well as a current building and land inventory, marketing the Industrial Business area. - Offer Sidney relocation guide - Showcase (regularly) a Sidney area business sponsored by the EDC (communications) - Attend and participate in West Sidney Industrial Business (SBC) breakfast meetings and workshops. - Develop a communications plan that incorporates printed material, online resources and collaborative dialogue with BIA, Chamber of Commerce, WSI, Business Showcase 4
TOWN OF SIDNEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2018 ASSIST IN THE PROMOTION OF A POSITIVE IMAGE FOR SIDNEY AND AREA TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES, INVESTMENT, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS Encourage local leaderships role and commitment to strengthening local business Host Business Attraction Event ECDC Conference & Tourism Island Conference - Continue to build and expand the network based comprehensive community profile, to include summary of demographics, business overview, education & employment, fees, permits & regulations, government & services, labor, real estate, taxation, utilities - Consider hosting a Business Attraction event in collaboration with SBIA and WSI - Sidney Economic Development representative(s) to attend 5
EDC Standing Items Item Meeting Raised Details Business entry & exit survey 01-Jun-17 Julie & Chris to develop exit survey Donna & Julie to develop entry survey Community Profile / Gap Analysis 01-Jun-17 Moved by E. Bremner-Mitchell, seconded by G. Byrne, that the EDC outsource the community profile and gap analysis to the same company. Erin, Julie and David will draft terms of reference for board s approval Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 01-Jun-17 Donna to advise if discount rate is available for EDC members. Change to Terms of Reference 28-Apr-17 request to council for change in ToR to allow for appointed alternate from the 3 organizations represented on the EDC. Request to staff for 2018 business licence application 07-Apr-17 Request to staff to add square footage of buildings to the 2018 business licence applications. Develop a budget to put forward to Council 24-Mar-17 Ensure EDC funds are used for true economic development projects. Webinars on EDC website 24-Mar-17 Develop informational webinars relating to individual businesses, what they do, share knowledge. Erin to lead. Semi-annual update to Council Feb. 17, 2017 Each project group to develop a budget to be included in the report to Council. By June. Highlight / promote local businesses Nov. 18, 2016 Resulting from Sidney Breakfast Club meeting. EDC should be promoting and highlighting local business success. Produce 5-10 minute videos and add them to the EDC website. Host Property Owner's Breakfast with 28-Apr-17 Resolution to plan to host in late September after the report has been presented to Council.