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Ms. Brooks replied, So right now they are renovating the space. They want to make sure all of the <br /> resources are in place before we make a public splash about its existence. We want to make sure <br /> that all of our ducks are in a row so that when we open the doors, people can come right in and <br /> receive a high level of service. So that date is pending. We are in quarter three (3) and, from what <br /> I understand is that probably around the end of quarter three (3), we should expect an <br /> announcement to come. <br /> Ms. White stated, It would be helpful to get a list of all these various initiatives and put them <br /> together so we can begin to look at what is available. That, to me, is probably the first step and <br /> getting an overview of who they are and their mission would help us see if there are any gaps. I'm <br /> thinking of this because even at the Council and the Administration level we have all these grants <br /> and I'm getting them all confused. We approved one(1)on Monday and that is not the one(1)that <br /> was awarded today and I'm getting all confused. If we put them all together and see the focus. My <br /> concern is the impact and I want to make sure the impact isn't in just one (1) area. How do we get <br /> the most out of the resources? How do we sustain? And what are the expectations? It's good that <br /> we have the grants and I know someone mentioned to me that the Board of Public Works is up for <br /> a grant. <br /> Ms. Fowler stated, This used to be a big part of the Board of Public Works. I think the structure is <br /> different now but purchasing, before, the whole initiative fell under the Board of Public Works <br /> just because they have the biggest stakes. It is important. <br /> Ms. White followed up, And then the impact of the grants as we move toward the budget hearings <br /> not only this ye but next year as we begin to plan and evaluate the effectiveness. <br /> Ms. Brooks stated, One (1) of the things I have tried to stress which is probably why my timeline <br /> is maybe a little longer than others is establishing something that is going to be sustainable. We <br /> will have a way to measure how successful the impact will be for a lot of these programs. I agree <br /> completely that a lot of these programs and organizations have been around for a very long time <br /> but we have never measured the benefit as we have never collected the data for the exact type of <br /> impact they are having. We don't know how many small business owners have taken advantage <br /> of the resources and which ones have been most effective. Those are things we have not been able <br /> to measure and that is what I want to make sure we are doing this go around. <br /> Ms. Fowler stated, That helps us to have information so we can support the City and any other <br /> initiatives they are trying to do as well as members of the community that are asking. Some of this <br /> new stuff is great but they will ask about why they haven't been working with the people already <br /> with small businesses. <br /> Mr. Alexander stated, As it pertains to these businesses and the opportunities in which the City <br /> can work with them, I'm sure in the businesses we have available that we can work with them as <br /> there might not be a vendor. Has anyone come up with or identified the businesses that need to be <br /> developed within the community? <br /> Ms. Fowler replied, Yes and there have been some workshops,huge workshops and initiatives put <br /> on by the City Administration and the Board. We had one(1)when all the Department heads came <br /> 8 <br />