Title
Business Advisory Committee and Charlotte Business Inclusion Advisory Committee Restructure
Action
Action:
A. Approve the Jobs and Economic Development Committee’s recommendation to change the structure of appointments to the existing 20-member Business Advisory Committee by the following actions:
- Reduce the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance appointments from five member seats to four member seats,
- Add a new Member Organization seat designated to the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, and
B. Approve the Jobs and Economic Development Committee’s recommendation to change the structure of appointments to the existing 16-member Charlotte Business Inclusion Advisory Committee by the following action:
- Add a new Member Organization seat designated to the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce.
Body
Council Committee Chair:
Malcom Graham, Jobs and Economic Development
Staff Resource(s):
Tracy Dodson, City Manager’s Office
Holly Eskridge, Economic Development
Steven Coker, Charlotte Business INClusion
Background
Action A
§ The Business Advisory Committee’s (BAC) purpose is to advise the City of Charlotte on legislative and operational policies to help advance success and sustainability for businesses in the city. This includes:
- Providing a platform for businesses to collaborate, gain access to information and resources, and highlight needs;
- Providing recommendations and advice to City Council on ways the city can help businesses;
- Representing the interest of businesses in the city;
- Serving as a conduit and advocating to advance the interests of businesses;
- Collaborating with the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and other economic development focused partners to create an ecosystem for business growth and sustainability;
- Keeping City Council and city staff abreast of conditions in the business community and how these conditions might affect business-government relations and needs for public services; and
- Partnering with staff and City Council to increase awareness of business services, support, and opportunities.
§ The BAC consists of twenty members appointed by the following:
- Two by Mayor,
- Six by City Council,
- Five recommended by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and appointed by the City Council, and
- Seven recommended by Member Organizations and appointed by City Council.
§ Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce,
§ Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce,
§ Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas,
§ Latin American Chamber of Commerce,
§ Metrolina Native American Association,
§ Metrolina Minority Contractors Association, and
§ National Association of Women Business Owners.
Action B
§ The Charlotte Business INClusion Advisory Committee (CBIAC) reviews and recommends policies to create a thriving economic climate where businesses are connected to highly skilled talent and technologies. The CBIAC is responsible for the following:
- Reviewing Minority, women, Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) utilization and participation on city contracts
- Providing recommendations and advice to City Council on ways the city can enhance diversity and inclusion of MWSBEs in city contracting and procurement
- Providing a forum for CBI (Charlotte Business INClusion) stakeholders to raise issues and have input into CBI policy recommendations
- Advising the city of business community conditions that may affect business-government relations
- Serving on future city Disparity Study Advisory Committees
§ The CBIAC consists of sixteen members appointed by the following:
- Three by Mayor,
§ At-Large Charlotte Regional Business Alliance,
§ At-Large Prime Construction Company,
§ At-Large Professional Services,
- Thirteen by City Council,
§ Carolina Association of General Contractors,
§ Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce,
§ Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce,
§ Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas,
§ Latin American Chamber of Commerce,
§ Metrolina Native American Association,
§ Metrolina Minority Contractors Association,
§ National Association of Women Business Owners,
§ 3 At-Large, and
§ 2 At-Large Prime Construction Company.
Proposed Changes
Action A
§ The proposed BAC restructuring includes,
- Reducing the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance appointments from five member seats to four member seats,
- Adding a new Member Organization seat designated to the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, and
- Maintaining total number of appointments at twenty members.
Action B
§ The proposed CBIAC restructuring includes,
- Adding a new Member Organization seat designated to the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
Committee Discussion
Action A
§ As part of the September 12, 2022, referral to assess and make recommendations specific to each of the boards and commissions and their continued purpose moving forward, or restructure, or disbandment and the Mayor and City Council discussion at their April 3, 2023, meeting, the request was made for staff to bring to the Jobs and Economic Development Committee a plan for restructuring the BAC to include the Carolinas LBGT+ Chamber of Commerce.
§ On May 1, 2023, the Jobs and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously (Graham and Molina absent for vote) to approve the proposed BAC restructuring be included on a future City Council Meeting agenda for consideration of approval.
Action B
§ On May 1, 2023, the Jobs and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously (Graham and Molina absent for vote) to approve the proposed CBIAC restructuring be included on a future City Council Meeting agenda for consideration of approval.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
May 1, 2023 Jobs and Economic Development Council Committee Presentation