Information Items:
     - Charlotte BizHub
     - Reduction in Federal Housing and Community Development Funds
     - Contracting Opportunities
    
Attachments:
     - Federal Budget Cuts
     - Contracting Opportunities 3-05
     - ED and Planning Committee Summary 2-2-05
     - Council Policy Calendar March - May 2005

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Information Items:
Charlotte BizHub
Staff Resource: Ron Kimble, 704-336-4169

At your March 28 City Council Dinner Briefing, City staff will update you on the progress made on the Charlotte BizHub. We have gained the support of Mecklenburg County, the Library, Central Piedmont Community College, the Chamber, the BizHub Board, and private corporate partners along with the City as we progressed. Issues that Council raised last year that are being fully addressed include:
     -  Board Structure
     -  Financial Model, including Cash, In-Kind and Private Sponsorships
     -  Website and Database
     -  Non-Profit Partner Organizations
     - Performance Indicators

We will be finalizing the revised model with the BizHub Board during the week of March 21 and will give a full report to City Council on March 28.

Reductions in Federal Housing and Community Development Funds
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) budget is included in the "Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2005", which mandates a nation wide reduction in federal housing and community development funding by 0.8% beginning in July 2005. The attached document provides information on the budget reductions for the Charlotte area and the impact on City programs.

Contracting Opportunities
Staff Resource: LaTonya Jones, 704-336- 4178

Attached is the Contracting Opportunities List for March 2005. This document, published by the Small Business Development Program, includes a forecast of upcoming City projects as well as valuable business events and information. It is distributed monthly to certified small businesses

(SBEs) and minority and woman-owned firms (MWBEs). It is also sent to various business organizations like the SBA, Metrolina Minority Contractor's Association, Small Business Information Center, Bizhub, International House, Asian Chamber, and Latin American Chamber of Commerce. A copy of the document is available in the information stands on the first floor of the Government Center and online