Title
Contract with CO+HOOTS to Implement Small Business Community Platform (Ordinance S-47061)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with CO+HOOTS, or its City-approved designee, to launch a technology-driven Small Business Community Platform to support Phoenix small businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for this digital platform will not exceed $100,000. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse funds related to this item. Funding is available through the City’s $293 million allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
On May 5, 2020, City Council approved $100,000 of CRF funding to invest in a small business program to assist Phoenix businesses with their recovery efforts.
CO+HOOTS, founded in 2010 as central Phoenix’s first coworking space, is an entrepreneurship ecosystem accelerator that provides educational resources and collaborative, self-sustaining spaces to grow the entrepreneurial, startup and small business community. A globally-recognized entrepreneur support organization, CO+HOOTS is a major catalyst and driver of local economic development.
If approved, an agreement will be executed with CO+HOOTS to create, launch and maintain a technology-driven community platform. This platform, called the HUUB, a robust digital platform that supports local governments in revitalizing small businesses during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, will provide on-demand expertise, guidelines and solutions to assist Phoenix small businesses in recovering from the impact of COVID-19. This platform, available in both English and Spanish, will streamline support for small businesses in one central location, or hub, to assist with business stabilization, recovery, and help boost the resiliency of Phoenix small businesses.
The Small Business Community Platform will streamline support for Phoenix small businesses. Key highlights include the following:
- Education and Small Business Support: Business owners will have access to a library of engaging and relevant webinars featuring local and national experts representing a diverse array of industries, that will provide on-demand solutions for issues faced by small businesses, and be available any time businesses need support.
- Community Building and Events: Business owners will be able to search and connect to a myriad of community events aimed at supporting the small business community. Key events from a variety of community partners, such as business organizations and chambers, along with the City, will be highlighted on the platform.
- On-boarding and Branding: Business owners will become aware of this platform through a campaign aimed at on-boarding small businesses prior to launching the platform. City staff and key partners will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions.
- Reporting and Platform Communication: Business owners will be surveyed at key times while accessing the community platform. This data, including demographics and business contact information, will be reported to the City on a regular basis to allow for ongoing business engagement.
CO+HOOTS will provide reporting and performance metrics to the City to track assistance to Phoenix small businesses.
Procurement Information
CO+HOOTS was selected through Alternative Competition based on its experience creating a similar program for the City of Mesa.
Contract Term
The contract with CO+HOOTS will begin immediately and expire on June 30, 2021.
Financial Impact
Funding for this Small Business Community Platform will not exceed $100,000. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is available through the City’s $293 million allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
At the May 5, 2020 City Council Policy meeting, the City Council approved $100,000 to create a tool that would provide small businesses with expertise on key business topics, guidelines to assist with business recovery and on-demand solutions during this unprecedented time.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Jeff Barton and the Community and Economic Development Department.