HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-21-94 E
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
General Purpose and Administration Committee
Meeting: File # 'Ob;2 -Cl r
Date: December 12, 1994 Res. #
Ry-Law#
Report#:—ADMIN--21--9-4Fiie#:
Subject: Municipal Business Advisory Group
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report ADMIN-21-94 be received;
2. THAT no action be taken to establish an advisory group;
3. THAT a letter be sent to Rosario Marchese, MPP, Fort York and Mr. Michael Patrick,
Chairperson of the Economic Development Liaison Team advising them of Council's
decision.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT
1.0
At a meeting held on September 12, 1994, Council referred correspondence sent to all
Ontario municipalities from Mr. Rosario Marchese, M.P.P. to the Chief Administrative
Officer for review and preparation of a report. Marchese's correspondence advised Council
of the activities of the Fort York Small Business Advisory Group and recommended that a
similar group be established in our community. The correspondence was reviewed by the
Economic Development Officer and additional research concerning the benefits of
establishing such a group was conducted. This report summarizes the review and
recommends that no action be taken to establish a similar group in Clarington.
1.1 I
Clarington is fortunate to have a number of business groups to assist small and medium-
sized business including: the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce, The Oshawa
and District Chamber of Commerce; The Clarington Business Group; The Economic
Development Liaison Team; The Bowmanville Business and Professional Women's Club;
BIA organizations and other clubs.
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IHis Is rn rf![D lkl nELYCLED'All
1.2
Contact was made with the Oshawa, Whitby and Pickering economic development offices.
These offices were either unaware of Mr. Marchese's correspondence or had decided against
any action to establish such a group.
1.3
Contact was made with Mr. Marchese's constituency office. Mr. Pearse, an employee of
the office, advised that approximately 30 responses from municipalities have been received
with many seeking additional information or indicating that similar organizations existed in
their municipalities and that establishment of a new one would be redundant.
1.4
Mr. Pearse also acknowledged receipt of correspondence from the Ontario Chamber of
Commerce. The Ontario Chamber had expressed concern with Mr. Marchese's idea, citing
that the local Chambers of Commerce feel they are already satisfying the advisory and
support role for small and medium-sized businesses outlined in Mr. Marchese's concept.
Upon further conversation with Mr. Pearse, the Economic Development Officer was unable
to quantify any financial or other tangible benefits to establishing another business advisory
group in Clarington.
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1.6
Mr. Marchese's correspondence was shared with the Economic Development Liaison Team
at their October meeting. This group concurs with the Economic Development Officer's
opinion that because networks of small and medium-sized businesses already exist in our
community and liaison with the economic development officer is frequent, establishment of
another business advisory group would be redundant and is not recommended.
Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by,
Todd Letts, M .A. W. H. Stockwe1,
Economic Development Officer Chief Administrative Officer
List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Rosario Marchese, MPP, Fort York Mr. Michael Patrick, Chairperson
854 Dundas Street West Economic Development Liaison Team
Toronto, Ontario 172 Wellington Street
M61 1V5 Bowmanville, Ontario
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