Label
ARPA Funds - ECDI
Economic Development
Sandy Spang (x1614)
Title
Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for Creation of a Food Systems, Education and Incubation Hub; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) for said purpose; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo is the recipient of $180.9 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used to address the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toledo Recovery Plan framework (authorized by Ordinance 530-21) includes $1 million for investment in healthy food initiatives. This ordinance allows for the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000 for reimbursement of construction and construction related expenses to create a Food Systems, Education and Incubation Hub.
This ARPA funded activity will be performed by subrecipient Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) ECDI is the number one Small Business Administration microlender in the country. Headquartered in Columbus, and working across the state of Ohio, ECDI works to fund, coach, and counsel small businesses with a focus on women, BIPOC, and new American entrepreneurs. ECDI has developed an organizational partnership with two additional non-profit organizations, Center for Innovative food Technology (CIFT) and Opportunity Kitchen, to create a hub for healthy food education, healthy food access, and entrepreneurial support in Toledo.
The Food Systems, Education and Incubation Hub will address multiple needs in our community. Food entrepreneurship increased exponentially during the Covid pandemic, and there is a significant need for technical training, business counseling, and access to licensed commercial kitchen space. The hub will provide entrepreneurs access to both the planned CIFT Smart Kitchen, (to be equipped through receipt of a $1.1 million federal earmark) as well as opportunities to operate in incubator restaurants in the food hall.
The hub will advance workforce development by increasing Opportunity Kitchen’s training capacity for returning citizens and others with barriers prepare for employment in the culinary industry.
A retail market commissary will provide underserved communities in the area access to healthy food through a unique partnership with neighborhood convenience stores. These stores have limited capacity to purchase fresh products wholesale due to a number of reasons, including supply chain order minimums and inability to incur inventory loss. The hub will offer a wholesaling program to supply these stores with fresh, healthy foods for their immediate community. Infrastructure is planned for aggregation, storage, and allocation of fresh produce and other grocery items for these neighborhood stores.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $500,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to Account Code 2021-16400-5HEALTHFD3NEI for the creation of a Food Systems, Education and Incubation Hub; and further authorizing the expenditure of same.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with Economic and Community Development Institute for the purposes authorized in Section 1 upon terms and conditions consistent with American Rescue Plan Act regulations and otherwise applicable to the Director of Law.
SECTION 3. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $500,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to timely provide funding to support small businesses and increase heathy food access, needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: May 16, 2023, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: May 16, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor