GENERAL COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Stephen Chait, Economic Development Director
	PREPARED BY:	Stephen Chait, Economic Development Director
	DATE OF MEETING:	October 17, 2005
	SUBJECT:	Town of Markham and Markham Board of Trade Mission to Cary, NC. November 1-3, 2005

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Town of Markham and Markham Board of Trade Mission to Cary, North Carolina”, be received.

AND THAT Regional Councillor Bill O’Donnell be authorized to represent Council in this trade mission.

DISCUSSION:

On September 27, 2005, Markham Council approved the following recommendation:

That the report entitled “Town of Markham and Markham Board of Trade Mission to Cary, North Carolina”, be received. The cost is not to exceed $3,650 based on the participation of one member of the Economic Development Department, one member of Council as selected by Council, and the Chief Administrative Officer;

The expenditure is to be funded from within the 2005 Economic Development International and Economic Alliances capital account # 086-6900-6775-005.

Regional Councillor Bill O’Donnell has been a long-standing participant in the economic development initiatives between the Town of Markham and the State of North Carolina, in particularly the establishment of an economic alliance with the Town of Cary. In the absence of Economic Development Committee Chair Joseph Virgilio, it is recommended that Regional Councillor O’Donnell represent Council on this trade mission.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

As previously approved by Council, September 27, 2005, the estimated cost of the trip for 3 Town of Markham representatives to attend (the Markham Board of Trade is to cover their own costs) is $3,650 and will be financed out of the International and Economic Alliances capital account # 086-6900-6775-005.

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The activities are in alignment with the Town’s strategic plan.

Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

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