Item - 2018.ED29.4
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on May 22, 2018 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by the Economic Development Committee on May 10, 2018 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on May 22, 2018.
ED29.4 - Green Market Acceleration Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on May 22, 23 and 24, 2018, adopted the following:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships to continue the Green Market Acceleration Program for a period of four years and report back to Economic Development Committee at the end of that period.
2. City Council authorize the heads of applicable City Divisions to execute agreements on behalf of the City for the duration of the Green Market Acceleration Program providing for the implementation of applied research partnerships, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations using City assets or infrastructure in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
3. City Council direct all City Divisions to work with Green Market Acceleration Program through the duration of the program to assist local businesses with their applied research, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations, supporting the development of "made in Toronto" market-based innovative solutions to real world issues and growing Toronto's economy.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-114591.pdf
ED29.4 - Green Market Acceleration Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Economic Development Committee recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships to continue the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) for a period of four years and report back to Economic Development Committee at the end of that period.
2. City Council authorize the heads of applicable City divisions to execute agreements on behalf of the City for the duration of the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) providing for the implementation of applied research partnerships, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations using City assets or infrastructure in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
3. City Council direct all City divisions to work with Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) through the duration of the program to assist local businesses with their applied research, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations, supporting the development of "made in Toronto" market-based innovative solutions to real world issues and growing Toronto's economy.
Origin
Summary
This report outlines the results of the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) pilot, evaluates its effectiveness in meeting its objectives, and seeks authority to renew the program for an additional four years.
To support economic growth in Toronto's thriving green sector, Toronto companies in the green sector need sites for testing, proving concepts and demonstrating their new technologies. The Green Market Acceleration Program Pilot has allowed local business in the green sector to apply to the City to use municipal infrastructure and assets for applied research, proof of concept, and demonstrations.
The program, as a pilot project, was approved by Council at its September 30 – October 2, 2015 meeting. It is a joint project between Economic Development and Culture and the Toronto Office of Partnerships and two staff (one from each division) support the program. The program has seen a steady increase of visits to its webpage, in the number of applications received and in the number of projects that are hosted by various City divisions once full marketing began in late 2016. Thirty five applications were received with seven moving to the project stage – four of these were related to clean energy and hosted by the Environment and Energy Division. There are now an additional eight applications that GMAP staff are working with to find a host division for their projects.
Feedback from businesses in the program has been positive on the value of GMAP in supporting the development of their products and the growth of their firms.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/ed/bgrd/backgroundfile-114591.pdf