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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - SMALL BUSINESS CENTER MOU (2)• 0 AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: CONSENT CALENDAR Lynn M. Harris DATE: December 11, 1990 SUBJECT: Small Business Center, Memorandum of Understanding DEPARTMENT: Community Development BACKGROUND The efforts of staff in developing a Small Business Development Center program were presented in a progress report heard by the City Council on October 30, 1990. There was a brief discussion in support of the Small Business Center concept, followed by a vote to receive and file the progress report. The progress report directed staff to return to City Council in December with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the principal parties involved in the proposed program, as a nest step. A draft of a MOU has been prepared,by staff containing a statement of the programs intent, program reporting and evaluation, and obligations of the participating parties. A draft copy of the MOU is attached for Council's consideration. To receive and approve Memorandum of Understanding for a Santa Clarita Valley Small Business Development Center, and direct staff to continue work on this concept. Agenda Hem: lC� DftAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING This is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce, and the Castaic Chamber of Commerce to confirm the intent,of the above-mentioned parties to work together cooperatively to create and implement a Small Business Development Center to serve the Santa Clarita Valley. The parties to this agreement recognize that the small business sector plays a vital role in the economy of the Santa Clarita Valley. With the planned development of the Center City Mall and the introduction of several large department stores; the ability of local small retail businesses to create and retain jobs is being questioned and challenged. The SBDC is designed to provide support services to strengthen local small businesses in the face of this challenge. 1. PROGRAM INTENT The objective of the SBDC will be to provide comprehensive and specialized services for small business owners and individuals planning to start a small business. The center will promote the start-up, retention and expansion of small businesses. It will provide the following services: referrals to a �.- group of public and private local resource network participants; dissemination of information; individual counseling and technical assistance in financial and business planning; and business conferences and training workshops for groups of small business owners. The SBDC will serve small businesses located in the Santa Clarita. Community College District, a 367 square mile area.which includes the City of Santa Clarita as well,as the unincorporated areas of Agua Dulce, Castaic and Val Verde. 2. OBLIGATIONS Each party to the MOU agrees to participate in the development of grant proposals to secure state and/or federal funding for the SBDC. Each party to this MOU agrees to be represented on the Advisory Board or Board of Directors designed to establish general policies and market the program in the Santa Clarita Valley. Each party to the MOU agrees to financially support the SBDC through either cash and/or inkind support. 3. REPORTING AND EVALUATION An Annual Report shall be prepared to evaluate the progress of the SBDC toward program goals and objectives adopted by the proposed Board of Directors.. Memorandum of Understanding �k "AF Page Two a' The program shall also be evaluated through the program comparable to audit procedure of the California Department of Commerce, Office of Small Business -- a mechanism designed to systematically evaluate Small Business Development Centers. The audit procedure is required of centers funded through the State Department of Commerce. The City of Santa Clarita Signature Date Title The College of the Canyons Signature Date Title The Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce Signature Date Title The Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce Signature Date Title The Castaic Chamber of Commerce Signature Date Title MH: rd: 48