Title
Consider request from York Technical College for funding of The Hive, a Workforce Development Program to be located in Old Town.
Strategic Goals: 1) Provide support and incentives for businesses interested in locating or expanding in the downtown area; 2) Provide support for downtown businesses and attract new businesses; 3) Provide support for public and private investment in the downtown area.
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On January 11, 2010, City Council adopted economic development goals for 2010 that were proposed by RHEDC. Those goals included:
1) Explore avenues to assist in strengthening small business and entrepreneurial programs developed by York Tech, the Chamber of Commerce, and Winthrop University;
2) Create and implement strategies for attracting new employment to Old Town, with particular focus on knowledge-based businesses;
3) Develop programs and incentives to attract and support young professionals to work and live in the downtown area;
4) Organize local discussions regarding possible long term economic clusters for Rock Hill and York County;
5) Provide business planning and marketing support for existing downtown retail and restaurant businesses to aid these businesses through the current economic recession.
On November 22, 2010, City Council adopted the College Town Action Plan which included the following goal: "Create a partnership to establish a university presence downtown." The Hive was specifically described as an immediate opportunity to address this goal.
In response to these goals, a number of public and private partners, under the leadership of York Technical College, have been collaborating over the past year to create a workforce development program for knowledge workers in Old Town. The program will also include The Hive Business Center to provide support for growing businesses. Greg Rutherford, President of York Technical College will present a funding request of approximately $34,000 per year for two years.
Attached are: 1) A Summary of Programming and Goals for The Hive; 2) How The Hive Benefits Old Town; 3) A Sources and Uses Financial Summary of The Hive; 4) Letters of Support from Other Participants in The Hive.