TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation from Quintin Baker, Executive Director for the Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship (MCE) to provide an update on Q1 activites. Discussion only.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Council approved Economic Development Strategic Plan was created to guide the City's short and long-term economic development efforts. The plan established four key goals to achieving economic development success as well as accompanying strategies and actions needed to realize those goals. Goal 1: Strategy C, specifically calls out the need to support local entrepreneurs in the start-up of new business.
To fulfill this goal the Economic Development Department issued a Request for Statement of Qualifications in the winter of 2012 seeking partnership opportunities with interested organizations for the implementation and operational management of the Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship (MCE) incubator. February 5, 2013 City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with the Northern Arizona Technology & Business Incubator for the creation and operational management of the MCE incubator and renewed an expanded agreement again September 3, 2013 through September 2016. The agreement was renewed on October 4, 2016 for one additional year.
The Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship offers the following serivces:
1. Mentoring
2. Workshops
3. Introduction to networks
4. Promotions
The report contains and update on processes, identification of trends, and delivers the Incubation Series Track.
This item will be presented by Economic Development Director Denyse Airheart and Executive Director Quintin Smith.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive this presentation, ask any applicable questions and provide direction.