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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Jeff McLaughlin, Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager
DATE: March 3, 2015
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Awarding a Request for Proposal (RFP) 15-02 to the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAACC) to Provide Entrepreneur/Small Business Outreach Services in the City of Aurora's Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA).
PURPOSE:
Staff seeks approval for the award of RFP 15-02 to the QCAACC in the amount of $30,000 to provide on-line marketing, social media training, and government vendor training to NRSA small businesses in order to assist in attracting new customers and streamlining business operations.
BACKGROUND:
In 2013/2014, the City utilized the Community Development Block Grant to fund the Waubonsee Community College Small Business Development Center and the QCAACC to survey small businesses in the NRSA and Downtown to assess of their needs. This survey encompassed over 200 businesses, with 80 specific respondents. This survey was finalized in December of 2014 and is presented as Attachment "A". The City has budgeted $15,000 in the 2015 fiscal year and $15,000 in the 2016 fiscal year ($30,000 total) to produce a program that is a follow-up to the survey results. This budget led to the development of RFP 15-02 which sought an economic development partner who could plan and implement a specific small business outreach and support program specific to the NRSA area. The QCAACC was the winning responsible bidder for this RFP process (Proposal as Attachment C").
DISCUSSION:
The QCAACC has proposed the use of seminars, webinars, small group sessions, and one-on-one coaching to work with NRSA small businesses on the creation and use of social media sites (Facebook, Twitter), the creation of business webpages, and email marketing with the goal of assisting businesses to retain old clients and attract new business. Additional training will be offered in basic business software such as Quickbooks, Neat, GoToMeeting and MS Suite. The QCAACC will also coordinate and host peer-to-peer forums regarding becoming a City of Aurora and State of Illinois vendor as a way to educate small businesses on taking advantage of City and State funded projects.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Funding for the award of RFP 15-02 comes from Account # 215-1330-463-32-59 which will be funded for $15,000 for the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years ($30,000 total). The QCAACC will be required to submit quarterly reporting consistent with the City's Quality of Life Grant Program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the award of RFP 15-02 to the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce in the Amount of $30,000 over the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years, and authorize the City's Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager to sign any contracts or necessary documents related to this award.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Awarding a Request for Proposal (RFP) 15-02 to the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAACC) to Provide Entrepreneur/Small Business Outreach Services in the City of Aurora's Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA).
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has made assistance to small businesses a priority, especially in the City's NRSA and Near Eastside neighborhoods.
WHEREAS, the City has budgeted $15,000 in each of the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years ($30,000 total) for entrepreneur/small business support services in the NRSA. These funds come from Account # 215-1330-463-32-59 which has funds available for this purpose, and
WHEREAS, via RFP 15-02, the City has found the QCAACC the responsive and winning bidder and seeks to award a contract for entrepreneur/small business support services in the NRSA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City of Aurora award RFP 15-02 to the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $30,000 over the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years, and that the City's Neighborhood Redevelopment Manager be authorized to sign any contracts or necessary documents related to this award.