Kissimmee commission approves expansion of Operation Business Boost, authorizes mayor travel for economic-development outreach

The Kissimmee City Commission voted to expand Operation Business Boost and approved related administrative items during its meeting.

Commission action: The commission unanimously approved continuing the expanded Operation Business Boost program, which builds on a December allocation of $1,000,000 in additional funding. Staff described the program as a multi-pronged effort that will offer business-recovery grants for pre-COVID businesses showing financial hardship, technical-assistance and mentorship, tuition grants to help residents upskill into higher-wage careers, and marketing to attract patrons back to Kissimmee. Economic development staff identified partners that will assist with delivery, including UCF’s business incubator and CareerSource.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: motion to approve by Commissioner Alvarez, second by Vice Mayor Eady; outcome: approved. - Operation Business Boost expansion: motion to approve by Commissioner Alvarez, second by Vice Mayor Eady; outcome: approved. - Mayor travel and commission travel authorization (economic-development mission to Puerto Rico and attendance at Florida League of Mayors reception in Tampa): motion by Commissioner Alvarez, second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: approved. The Puerto Rico trip was described as a municipal-to-municipal outreach to leaders in Rio Grande and as a campus tour with a Puerto Rico university the transcript variably named during discussion. - Planning Advisory Board vacancy appointment process (filling remainder of Robert Spalding’s term): motion to approve appointment procedure by Commissioner Alvarez, second by Commissioner Martinez; outcome: approved.

What staff said: David Brody, identified in the meeting as Executive Development Director, presented the Business Boost update and described the three main program areas: business recovery grants, business technical assistance, and ‘‘Upskill Kissimmee’’ tuition grants. Brody (and other staff referenced during the item) said the program will leverage prior partners to deliver grants, mentoring and workforce supports.

Discussion highlights and clarifications - Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the Puerto Rico travel: commissioners were told the trip includes meetings with municipal leaders in Rio Grande and tours of campuses that the visiting university operates; staff said the university operates nursing and hospitality programs and expressed interest in locating a campus in Kissimmee’s medical district. The transcript used inconsistent spellings for the university’s name (examples include “Ana Menendez,” “Anna Menendez,” and a later reference to institutions from Puerto Rico generally); staff said site searches are underway to match the university’s needs. - Staff described the December authorization of $1,000,000 in additional funding as the basis for the program expansion under consideration. Partners named included the UCF incubator and CareerSource.

Formal actions taken The commission approved the consent agenda and took three discrete approvals: the Business Boost expansion, travel authorizations, and the advisory-board vacancy action. No ordinance, rezoning, or budget appropriation beyond prior authorizations was adopted at the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners said they were ‘‘excited to move this forward’’ and thanked staff; staff will proceed with program implementation steps and site visits described during the travel authorization. Additional public meetings or staff reports were implied as next steps.