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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGOEDC 1/5/2015 C reater C}shkosh ,,,,,� Econc�mac C?�v�lc�prnent +�c�rpar�tic�n December 5,2014 Dr. Burk Tower, Mayor; Members of the City Council; and Mr. Mark Rohloff,City Manager City of Oshkosh 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130 Dear Mayor Tower, Members of the City Council,and Mr. Rohloff: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC)was created in 2014 to promote comprehensive and integrated economic development for the Oshkosh area. With strong and renewed energy,this focused leadership and advocacy supports efforts to expand and diversify the regional economic base. Of utmost importance to GO-EDC is to bring a "one-stop-shopping" mentality to economic development as well as to leverage the power of public-private partnerships. Following these unique attributes,the GO-EDC Board of Directors, comprised of private business and public entities,expects economic development in the Oshkosh area to be straightforward and seamless. GO-EDC approved a strategic plan in August 2014,compiling recommendations from various studies, reports,and collaborative committee efforts. The pian outlines five strategies for success as well as key metrics. Specifically, by the end of 2017 GO-EDC will— • Complete,either directly or with partners, 150 company visits and calls annually. • Assist existing businesses to increase capital investment by$75 million. • Assist businesses in creating 1,000 new jobs, matching the greater Oshkosh area's labor force and training capacity. Targeted wage rates will exceed the median hourly wage.(The median hourly wage was$16.45 according to the May 2013 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.) • Create a balanced industry mix targeting identified industry clusters and companies in the greater Oshkosh area. • GO-EDC will track key measurements to garner an overall sense of how the greater Oshkosh area is doing. The entire strategic plan,as well as a comprehensive roster of our governing board,committees and economic deve�opment partners, is available at the GO-EDC website—www.go-edc.com. Only with strong partnerships and financial support from organizations such as yours can GO-EDC achieve the objectives stated above as well as those outlined in the strategic plan. As such,we respectfully request an investment from the City of Oshkosh as outlined in the attached agreement. GO-EDC in turn agrees to provide direct economic development technical assistance and services to the City of Oshkosh in accordance with the adopted GO-EDC Strategic Plan and outlined in the attached agreement. Thank you for your passion for economic development and commitment to the Oshkosh area. The time is now for Oshkosh to build upon past successes,and we're proud and determined to develop our own success through the GO-EDC philosophy. Regards, William F.Wyman Chairman,GO-EDC Board of Directors AGREEMENT This agreement is between the City of Oshkosh, hereinafter the "City" and the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, hereinafter the "GO-EDC". In accordance with this agreement,GO-EDC agrees to provide economic development technical assistance to the City,to coordinate this assistance with designated City staff and City Council,and to implement the activities set forth herein. PURPOSE The purpose of the agreement is to further the overall goals of economic development in the greater Oshkosh area by facilitating job growth and investment through interagency cooperation and services provided by GO- EDC. AGREEMENT GO-EDC agrees to provide direct economic development technical assistance to the City in accordance with the adopted GO-EDC Strategic Plan. GO-EDC will act as the City's economic development advocate. GO-EDC, along with City staff members,will expend its best efforts to promote economic development including the recruitment, retention and expansion of business within the City and greater Oshkosh area. The economic development services to be provided by the GO-EDC will consist of the following: Existin�Business Develoqment 1. Conduct an on-going business retention and expansion (BRE) program utilizing a BRE Software System that will include a comprehensive interview with prominent industries within the City of Oshkosh and greater Oshkosh area. GO-EDC will contact the City relative to any significant concerns. The efforts will be done in coordination with the Account Management strategies in place within the City of Oshkosh. 2. Assist existing businesses upon direct contact or referral from the City Council and/or staff and report findings and resolution to the respective party. When meeting with local companies, GO-EDC will provide information on existing local, state and federal economic development assistance programs that provide funding to local businesses.These programs include low-interest loans,tax credit programs and workforce development assistance. GO-EDC staff will also provide referrals to other organizations that can meet the needs of the business. 3. GO-EDC will promote international business opportunities as appropriate. 4. GO-EDC will pursue a targeted industry approach to strengthen competitiveness of core industries in the greater Oshkosh area. Activities include: • Identify and evaluate market opportunities and requirements in the local and regional supply chains for identified industry clusters. • Collaborate with industry experts, including educational partners,to form or enhance targeted industry roundtables, councils or other initiatives. • Identify opportunities to collaborate on targeted industry efforts with appropriate partners including, but not limited to,the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC),the New North, and Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Partnership (NEWREP), and build upon previous targeted industry studies. Business Attraction 5. GO-EDC will collect and utilize data to develop a comprehensive targeted business recruitment program, with full implementation in 2016. 6. GO-EDC will provide assistance through the development of customized proposals to businesses interested in establishing a location within the City of Oshkosh upon direct contact or referral from the City Council or City staff, or other reliable sources. This activity will be reported upon, in aggregate, as part of this agreement's semi-annual reports. 7. GO-EDC will build the capacity of the organization and partners to respond to business attraction efforts. 8. GO-EDC will maintain and increase relationship-based outreach strategies to site location consultants and rea Itors. Marketing Activities 9. GO-EDC will develop targeted communications tools to reach stakeholders to garner on-going support for economic development efforts in the greater Oshkosh area. Activities, and frequency of such,will include: Annually: • Presentations to Civic Clubs • Economic Development Partners Board Meetings and/or Appropriate Events • City Council/Town Board/County Board Briefings • Guest Column • Investor Meetings Quarterly: � Scheduled Radio Show • Newsletter • Updates regarding Metrics As Appropriate: � Social Media • Press Releases 10. GO-EDC will develop and implement a marketing plan that utilizes media and public relations relationships designed to increase the awareness of GO-EDC's comprehensive services and to reflect a positive image of doing business in the greater Oshkosh area. 11. GO-EDC will ensure that its website is both a reflection of the collaborative and high quality organization, as well as be a client-centered resource containing quality information. 12. GO-EDC will secure earned media placements at least once per quarter in local new media outlets to showcase the greater Oshkosh area's businesses or citizens,framed in a positive light. 13. GO-EDC will pursue opportunities to inform and educate area service providers(i.e. accountants, attorneys, lenders)about the client services provided by GO-EDC to encourage client referrals. Workforce Development 14. GO-EDC will engage local, regional, and statewide partners to ensure a technically educated, diverse and skiiled workforce to support the businesses in the greater Oshkosh area. • GO-EDC will meet with education partners to learn about programs,service, and partnership opportunities and ensure collaboration at all levels of education within the greater Oshkosh area. • GO-EDC will encourage and support business/education partnerships and apprenticeships. • GO-EDC will identify and participate in committees and boards fthat strive to address area workforce development needs. • As part of discussions with area businesses, GO-EDC will ask for information about future skill sets and other workforce needs. • GO-EDC will engage local and nationai union leadership to understand and address workforce needs. • GO-EDC will coilaborate with state and other organizations to track workforce trends, including diversity. • GO-EDC will identify opportunities to support diverse,youth, disabled, and veteran initiatives. Business Finance 15. Through business retention and recruitment activities,GO-EDC will provide existing and potential businesses with information and assistance relative to available state,federal and local business development financing programs. This activity includes providing business loans to businesses,as appropriate, utilizing appropriate GO-EDC staff to develop loan applications. 16. GO-EDC will administer the City-funded Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in accordance with the approved program manual. GO-EDC will also seek creative ways to expand financing programs for all-sized businesses, including additional RLF's and risk capital. Caqacitv Buildin� 17. GO-EDC staff will meet with City of Oshkosh staff to understand economic development needs to ensure appropriate community or location-specific tools are implemented, as well as to provide support for economic development endeavors. 18. GO-EDC will support"place-based" economic development initiatives such as riverfront development and redevelopment efforts. 19. GO-EDC staff will partner with the Wisconsin Economic Development Association to offer the "Economic Development 101 for Local Officials" program to the City. 20. GO-EDC will provide written semi-annual reports to the City Manager and Director of Community Development. This activity will include a summary of the activities conducted during the reporting period. Additional Support Activities 21. GO-EDC will complete a benchmark analysis of similar communities. 22. GO-EDC will establish a scorecard relevant to identified metrics. This will be focused on quantifiable and measureable outcomes as well as provide results-oriented data to investors, such as the City of Oshkosh. 23. GO-EDC will implement systems and tools in order to conduct an economic impact analysis for all investment-related decisions. 24. GO-EDC will track key measurements to garner an overall sense of how the greater Oshkosh area is doing. Such measurements may include, but are not limited to: • Commercial and industrial vacancy rates • Number and square footage of buildings and sites available • Number and square footage of buildings and sites sold as well as comparisons to other communities within Wisconsin � Change in number of businesses and diversity by type or industry • Change in per capita household income • Change of families below poverty level or on public assistance • Total unemployment and unemployment rate • Equalized property values and change in tax base • New construction values • Change in average housing value • Gross County Product • Industry employment by sector • Retention of post-secondary graduates in the area 25. GO-EDC will maintain an inventory of available sites and buildings in the City of Oshkosh and greater Oshkosh area and make that information available via the GO-EDC website. Additionally,GO-EDC will implement a system for providing this information to interested parties. GO-EDC will work with the City to develop marketing materials for targeted sites and targeted opportunities. TERM This Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2015 and shall terminate on December 31, 2017. The Agreement shall then automatically renew for two additional one year periods unless terminated by one of the parties by giving written notice to the other party no later than June 30th of the preceding year for the following one year extension. TERMINATION This agreement may be terminated by either party upon thirty(30) days written notice in the event of default by the other party of any material provision hereof which remains unremedied for thirty(30) days following written notice of such default. COMPENSATION The City shall pay to GO-EDC$1.50 per capita based upon the last year's population estimate for each year that this Agreement is in effect, as determined by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Demographic Services Center1. For 2015,the estimated cost shall be$99,618.00 based upon the lanuary 1, 2014 population estimate of 66,412. In addition to the per capita payment directly from the City,the City will contribute the City's share up to$1.00 per capita of the Per Capita Economic Development Allocation from Winnebago County to GO-EDC for each year that this Agreement is in effect to support economic development and projects as outlined in this Agreement. FUTURE ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL, BUSINE55 PARK AND REDEVELOPMENT SITES At the City's discretion the City may assign marketing, sales, restrictive covenant enforcement, site plan review for restrictive covenant compliance and other management and administrative tasks related to the City's industrial parks, business parks and redevelopment sites to GO-EDC. If an assignment is made,the City and Go-EDC shall mutually determine a starting date for such assignment, goals and expectations, as well as additional compensation for such functions, if necessary. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR GO-EDC shall be an independent contractor of the City. Neither GO-EDC nor any of its officers, employees, or agents shall be considered to be an employee of the City as a result of the obligations undertaken pursuant to this agreement. GO-EDC's officers, employees and agents shall make no commitments or representation on behalf of the City to third parties without prior approval of the City. In addition, GO-EDC hereby holds harmless the City and its departments, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims, demands and liability for damages to third persons of any type whatever arising out of the actions of GO-EDC under this agreement. CONFIDENTIALITY GO-EDC Board members and staff will receive information on a regular basis which has been designated by GO-EDC or a third party as confidential. GO-EDC has determined it is vitally important to maintain confidentiality of information. GO-EDC requires all of its Board members and staff to agree to protect the confidential information that they have access to or use during their time with GO-EDC.This requirement is important to the credibility of the organization and to instilling confidence in GO-EDC for client companies and investors. GO-EDC is committed to open dialogue with City staff and City Council. However,there may be those occasions where confidentiality requirements restrict the sharing of such confidential information. LIABILITY INSURANCE GO-EDC agrees to abide by the attached City of Oshkosh Insurance Requirements for Professional Services. NOTICES All communications or notices required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (i) upon delivery to an officer or the person entitled to such notice, if hand delivered, or(ii) 1 Source: http://www.doa.state.wi.us/Divisions/Inter�overnmental-Relations/Demo�raphic-Services-Center/Wisconsin-Population- Housina-Estimates/ two business days following deposit in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, or with a nationaliy recognized overnight commercial carrier that will certify as to the date and time of delivery, air bill prepaid,or(iii) upon transmission if by facsimile, any such communication or notice shall be addressed as follows, unless and until any such party notifies the other in accordance with this section of any change of address: If to the Citv: City of Oshkosh City Attorney's Office 215 Church Avenue Post Office Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI, 54903-1130 Attn: City Attorney Facsimile No. 920-236-5106 With a copv to: City of Oshkosh Community Development Director 215 Church Avenue Post Office Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI, 54903-1130 If to GO-EDC: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation PO Box 2801 Oshkosh,WI 54903-2801 Attn: Chairman of the Board ASSIGNMENT GO-EDC agrees that it will not assign this agreement or any portion thereof,or any of its responsibilities hereunder,to any other party without first obtaining the written permission of the City. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties hereto have executed this agreement on the 5'�` day of . C�nUQ�r�I , 2015 GREATER OSHKO CONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION �' � � = � William F. 1Nyman CHAIRMAN OF THE B RD CITY OF OSHKOSH k,--- (�.. Ma k A. Rohloff CITY MANAGER P . 1�n�e1Ct S S�t�e I I�zP����� CITY RK APPROVED AS TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY: �'�'�.. o�(����'1 TRENA LARSON, FINANCE DIRECTOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1 N ORENSO , TTORNEY