Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Partnership Agreement for Small Business Owner Mentorship between the City of Port St. Lucie and Florida Institute of Technology’s weVENTURE Women’s Business Center Program.
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Submitted By: Elijah Wooten, Economic Development Administrator, CRA
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a diverse local economy and employment opportunities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Carly Fabien, Deputy City Attorney
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Florida Institute of Technology, Inc. d/b/a weVENTURE Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program
3. Purpose: weVENTURE WBC will provide free business coaching and no to low-cost entrepreneurial training to Port St. Lucie small business owners.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New
5. Duration: The term of this agreement is for three (3) consecutive one-year periods, commencing on the date of the agreement’s approval. The agreement will automatically renew for three (3) one-year periods.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: Port St. Lucie small business owners will receive free business coaching from qualified weVENTURE WBC business coaches specifically matched to their business needs. weVENTURE WBC will host three (3) events, at a City-owned location, that are free or low-cost to Port St. Lucie residents and small business owners.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): There is no cost for the partnership agreement with weVENTURE WBC.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the partnership agreement between weVENTURE Women’s Business Center and the City of Port St. Lucie.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the partnership agreement between weVENTURE Women’s Business Center and the City of Port St. Lucie.
2. Move that the Council not approve the partnership agreement between weVENTURE Women’s Business Center and the City of Port St. Lucie.
Background: weVENTURE WBC has operated as a program of the Florida Institute of Technology Bisk College of Business since 2007. weVENTURE WBC has grown to be a leading voice and resource for professional women on the Space and Treasure Coasts, significantly contributing to economic development through its support of the small business community in Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties. The Florida Institute of Technology is funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the annual $150,000 SBA grant serves as the foundation on which the weVENTURE WBC was built. weVENTURE WBC provides free business coaching, low and no cost business education, mentorship, and leadership development training to over 900 unique clients a year, cumulatively helping 17,000 clients in the four counties served. The purpose of the agreement is to set forth the services weVENTURE WBC will undertake in the city in exchange for partnership opportunities, marketing assistance and event coordination by the City of Port St. Lucie to weVENTURE WBC.
Issues/Analysis: The following is a summary of the City of Port St. Lucie’s and weVENTURE WBC responsibilities that are outlined in the agreement.
City Responsibilities
• The City will provide event space at a City-owned location for weVENTURE WBC to host events for Port St. Lucie’s small business owners.
• The City will permit at least three (3) weVENTURE WBC events per year but may permit more events at the City’s discretion and with collaboration with weVENTURE WBC.
• The City will assist, for no fee, with marketing weVENTURE WBC events hosted at a City-owned location, including, but not limited to, advertising on the City’s website, social media pages, and flyers posted in City-owned locations. The City shall assist with marketing these events at no fee to weVENTURE WBC.
• The City will include weVENTURE WBC in meetings and briefings related to economic development and support for the small business community.
• The City will recognize weVENTURE WBC as a community partner business service organization for the purposes of informing constituents of services available to them.
• The Economic Development Administrator will consider weVENTURE WBC when informed of any grants or funding opportunities relevant to the services provided by weVENTURE WBC.
• The City will consider weVENTURE WBC when hosting relevant events in which weVENTURE WBC may be able to network with the community and potential donor sources.
• The City will consider weVENTURE WBC when inviting local organizations or businesses to City events, including but not limited to workshops, community events, or informational fairs.
• The City will assist weVENTURE WBC in seeking sponsorship for each event held at a City-owned location, for the purposes of defraying or eliminating cost for City residents.
weVENTURE WBC Responsibilites
• weVENTURE WBC will provide free business coaching, low and no-cost business education training, and access to mentorship and leadership development programs to the Port St. Lucie’s small business owners, regardless of gender.
• weVENTURE WBC will maintain a staff of highly successful and seasoned business professionals as coaches and engage qualified subject matter experts as volunteers to work with the City’s small business owners.
• weVENTURE WBC will host at least three (3) events per year, as a City-owned location, that are free or low cost to Port St. Lucie residents and small business owners.
• weVENTURE WBC shall assist the City in preparing marketing materials to be used for advertising of each event hosted by weVENTURE WBC.
• weVENTURE WBC shall consider the City for any mentorship, workshop, or other educational opportunities which may benefit small business owners in Port St. Lucie.
• weVENTURE WBC shall organize and conduct outreach programs to the residents of Port St. Lucie with special focus on the underserved business owners, including women-owned businesses and non-employer firms.
• weVENTURE WBC shall provide the City with a sponsorship packet which the City may use to help assist weVENTURE WBC in obtaining sponsorship and investments.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: Various City-owned properties including, but not limited to, City Hall and the Community Center.
Attachments:
1. Signed weVENTURE Women’s Business Center Partnership Agreement
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25099-09
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Carly Fabien, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.