1999 Commercial Research Program -

Grant Recommendations - All Wards

The Economic Development and Parks Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June 22, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

This report seeks approval for Commercial Research Program grant allocations of $33,100.00. The report discusses the principles and evaluation criteria applied to this year's recipients, summarizes the grant requests and makes recommendations concerning the allocations.

Funding Sources:

The grant allocations recommended in this report fall within Council's approved 1999 Operating Budget for Municipal Grants. The total budget for the 1999 Commercial Research Program is $33,100.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)Commercial Research grants totalling $33,100.00 be allocated to the six projects as set out in Appendix 1;

(2)disbursement of the Program allocations be conditional on satisfying the 1999 Commercial Research Program goals and criteria as set out in Appendix 2; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

The Commercial Research Program began in 1986 with the purpose of providing financial assistance to Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and business associations to hire professional consultants to undertake research required to plan effective marketing and revitalization strategies. According to the Program requirements, participating BIAs and/or business associations are required to pay at least half the study costs, manage the day-to-day operations of the project and provide copies of the study to the City upon completion.

The reports provide research models and information valuable to other BIAS and/or business associations and to City staff working on commercial revitalization and business improvement issues. A list of projects, completed since the program was initiated in 1986, and copies of the various studies are available from the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department.

The Commercial Research Grants Program provides the following benefits:

(1)makes it financially feasible for Toronto's smaller BIA's and voluntary business associations to hire professional consultants to assist them with programming and development;

(2)increases the ability of business associations and BIAs to plan strategically, set priorities, and implement cost effective business improvement programs;

(3)provides a record of work undertaken, and a "road map" to guide BIAs and/or business associations over time; this has been particularly useful in providing new Boards of Management with research and suggestions that were previously developed by their predecessors;

(4)builds information about retail strips, their markets and strategies for developing BIA organizations and business districts;

(5)helps strengthen the City's small business community, returning the investment made in grants through increased sales, commercial realty and business tax revenues.

The program guidelines and conditions are set out in Appendix 2.

Comments:

As part of the 1999 process for program and service amalgamation, the Commercial Research Program was made available to all BIAs and business associations across the City.

Conclusions:

Economic Development staff are recommending that six of the eight applications be approved based on their meeting program guidelines, and contributing to the ability of the participating business associations to plan and implement effective programs for their areas.

Contact Name:

Ingrid Girdauskas, 392-1134.