Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

 

TO:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

CC:

Scott McCullough, PDS Director

FROM:

Cyndi Hermocillo-Legg, Small Business Facilitator

DATE:

July 1, 2015

RE:

BizFuel Update

 

Background

A public/private partnership named “BizFuel” was formed on May 5, 2015, with the signing of the Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding by the following partners:

·         City of Lawrence

·         Douglas County

·         EDC of Lawrence

·         Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

·         Small Business Development Center

·         Lawrence Public Library

 

BizFuel Partners work to build and grow local Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem through a collective impact approach method.  In this method, each entity maintains their individual responsibilities and brings their resources to the table in an organized manner to meet shared goals. 

 

BizFuel Ongoing Formation Update

BizFuel partners meet regularly and continue to establish deliverables per BizFuel Memorandum of Understanding’s original work items. The partnership leverages each-others resources, while dedicating time and effort to the ongoing capacity building of the BizFuel partnership as seen below.

 

Mission

To assist SMEs to start, grow, add jobs, and succeed by building an entrepreneurial environment that will spur educational advancement, networking, technical assistance, research, advocacy, and/or work to foster SME collaboration and connections.

 

Establish Working Definition of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Within Douglas County:

·         Up to $20 million in sales = 4,708 Businesses

·         Up to 100 employees = 4,636 Businesses

·         Up to $20 million in sales and up to 100 employees = 4,604 Businesses

·         Located in Douglas County KS = 5,464 Businesses

Source: Hoover’s Inc. Database (July, 2015).

 

BizFuel Growth Stages Adopted:

 

1. IDEA

2. START UP

3. GROWTH

4. EXPANSION

5. SUCCSESSION

 

Creation of Intake Form: An intake form will provide a seamless approach between BizFuel partners and establishes a universal system of approach for all clientele served.  Draft is completed and BizFuel will approve the final draft this month. 

 

Small Business Orientations: Small business orientations will begin on August 18th and will be delivered once a month at the Lawrence Public Library.  Each BizFuel partner will share their resources and be available to entrepreneurs wanting to start or grow their business.

 

Current Ongoing Efforts Include

·         Small Business Workshop Training – Quarterly,

·         Support, attend, and implement E-Accelerate Assessment steps and actions – Ongoing,

·         One on One Business Visits – Ongoing,

·         Partner SME Clientele Referrals – Ongoing,

·         Community Outreach per Entrepreneurial Resources-Ongoing,

·         In process of building metrics that measures the success of SMEs and the Biofuel’s partnership – Ongoing,

·         Application for Metropolitan (E-) Entrepreneurship Community Partnership Pilot – Ongoing.