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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL <br />OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: December 19, 2023 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:52 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 643/Res. No. 385-23 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Resolution No. 385-23, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 385-23, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako via Communication <br />No. 643, dated December 1, 2023, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State <br />of Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. <br />This resolution seeks to form the Hawaii Statewide Economic Development District to enhance <br />regional collaboration and access to federal funding. <br />Director of Research and Development Douglass S. Adams, who was present in the Hilo <br />Chambers, provided information regarding the background and purpose of the resolution. <br />Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz inquired as to whether specific opportunities for collaboration <br />that would be potentially facilited by this resolution have been identified. Director Adams <br />provided general comments on the ongoing prioritization process. Ms. Kierkiewicz desired to <br />have Director Adams return to the Council with more details once the resolution and agreement <br />had been finalized. <br />Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if there was an actual agreement ready to be entered <br />into upon adoption of the resolution, to which Director Adams clarified that the agreement <br />authorized by the resolution was still being edited and not yet ready for signature. Mr. Kaneali `i- <br />Kleinfelder then asked if the agreement was linked to the Statewide Economic Development <br />Strategy. Director Adams responded that the agreement would reference the strategy, but the two <br />were separate documents. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder emphasized his support for small businesses <br />and his desire to see small businesses included in this initiative. <br />GOEAC Report No. 96 <br />