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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13. 20-349 AUGUST 12, 2020 20-349 RESOLUTION (CARRIED___6-0__LOST________LAID OVER________WITHDRAWN________) PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF OSHKOSH TO FORMALLY APPLY FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) GRANT JOINTLY WITH THE OSHKOSH CONVENTION AND VISITOR’S BUREAU AND TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY AGREEMENTS INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, Title III, including CARES Act Addendum, establishes a planning partnership grant program for the funding of planning and programming of economic development activities by states, economic development districts and redevelopment areas; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh (the “City”) is authorized under the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and CARES Act Addendum to submit an application for an Economic Adjustment Assistance Non-Construction grant under said Act for economic development activities; and WHEREAS, the City and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) have determined the need for a resiliency and diversification strategy for tourism which has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, the City has participated in the applicable district Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process which has been submitted to EDA; and WHEREAS, the City and the CVB are authorized to submit grant applications to apply for an Economic Adjustment Assistance Non-Construction grant and to accept an EDA award; and AUGUST 12, 2020 20-349 RESOLUTION CONT'D WHEREAS, the City and the CVB have agreed to provide the required local share of financing which is readily available and unencumbered for the sole use of the project, in the amount of at least$70,000 in cash from the city, the CVB, and other community partners budgets as well as at least $5,000 in additional in-kind services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the City be authorized to make application to the Economic Development Administration for an Economic Adjustment Assistance Non-Construction grant jointly with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitor's Bureau requesting up to $275,000 in federal funds which the City and CVB will match with more than 20 percent of the cost of the project currently estimated at$75,000, and will be funded through cash contributions and in-kind services from the city, the CVB, and other community partners, resulting in an estimated total project cost of $350,000 in order to finance the initiatives part of the resiliency and diversification strategy for tourism in Oshkosh. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the City Manager and his designated officials are authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all agreements and documents relating to said grant and required for purposes of the same, and are further authorized and directed if said grant is awarded to accept such funds pursuant to the terms of the grant application. I rA Of Oshkosh TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Kelly Nieforth, Economic Development Division Services Manager DATE: August 5, 2020 RE: Authorize the City of Oshkosh to formally apply for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant jointly with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitor's Bureau and to execute the necessary agreements BACKGROUND The City of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB) are jointly applying for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program through the CARES Act Funding up to $275,000. The intent of the grant is to create a resiliency and diversification strategy for tourism in Oshkosh and fund a full-time position for two years. The total project cost is $350,000. The EDA Planning Grant will allow Oshkosh to create a new branding strategy, identify alternative tourism opportunities that will encourage people to visit Oshkosh and provide additional quality of life attributes for our citizens. Diversifying destination options, helping tourism-based businesses start or grow during the new COVID-19 era, and planning safe events will be part of the EDA grant application. Tourism in Oshkosh has been severely impacted by COVID-19 due to the fact that the current branding message is Oshkosh: Wisconsin's Event City. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the large scale events that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world to Oshkosh have been cancelled in 2020 and have had a catastrophic impact on Oshkosh and the tourism-based businesses. In addition to the loss of events, local businesses have also been challenged while trying to provide their services in a safe manner. ANALYSIS The strategy will guide Oshkosh in multiple ways. First, a market analysis to identify gaps in the Oshkosh market for tourism-related opportunities that will help Oshkosh expand our tourism offerings. Second, an assessment to pinpoint potential improvements that could be made to existing attractions or infrastructure to enhance it and attract additional visitors as City Hall,215 Church Avenue P.O.Box 1 130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1 130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us As the third part of this strategy, the Oshkosh CVB will seek proposals from firms experienced in brand discovery, design, as well as development in order to establish a branding platform that will attract visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic and after to Oshkosh. In addition to the new tourism strategy, city and CVB staff thought that a position to help businesses during these challenging times was important. The position will serve as a liaison between businesses, the CVB, and the city, to support business growth, diversification, and startups. The position will also work with our community partners and regional event planners to plan safe events in Oshkosh. The CVB would most likely house this position. The proposed grant activities aligns with the city's strategic plan goals to support businesses in our community, create jobs, and improve the quality of life. The city and CVB will be collaborating with various community organizations to provide additional resources toward this initiative. The timing of the EDA grant would be as follows: EDA Grant review and award Fall-Winter, 2020 Strategy Development Spring-Fall, 2021 Hire Position Summer, 2021 Strategy Implementation Winter 2021 FISCAL IMPACT Because the grant requires a 20% match, the city and the CVB are required to provide cash or in-kind services toward the grant. City staff have identified $20,000 in the Economic Development Division budget to contribute toward the grant. The CVB has committed $40,000 to contribute toward the grant, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has also indicated that they would be supportive of contributing a cash contribution of at least$10,000 for a total of$70,000 for the local match. In-kind services of at least$5,000 will also be applied towards the local grant match. RECOMMENDATION The City Council approves the submittal of the EDA grant application and accompanying resolution. Submitted, Approved: A16 Kelly Nieforth John Fitzpa _ Economic Development Services Manager Assistant City Manager City Hall,215 Church Avenue P.O.Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1 130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us