First published July 2006
Something that I have been working towards even before I entered local politics is finally happening. I am pleased to announce that the GPAEDC is undertaking a county wide business retention and expansion survey, which will include North Kawartha Township. In partnership with the provincial BR&E program, a number of surveys will be completed by local businesses throughout our region between now and March 2007. Studies have already been completed for the Automotive, Aerospace/Electronics and Plastics sector. Strategic planning sessions have indicated that Tourism is a key sector for our region so the next study currently underway is focused on tourism businesses followed by Service/Retail and then Natural Resources. Now you may be wondering “Why do we need a BR&E study?” Well consider the following:
- 40% to 90% of new jobs come from existing businesses
- Existing business sector is a local resource
- An effective business attraction strategy
- Less costly means of job creation
- Improve business and community competitiveness
The goals of the study are to provide an early warning mechanism for urgent business issues, to strengthen the relationship between local businesses and community and to retain jobs and support expansions. A number of volunteer interviewers have been assembled from across the county including fellow North Kawarthans Abe vanDuelman, Robin Miszuk, Caroline Elder, Helen Osborne and myself. I am also the North Kawartha representative on the BR&E task force. Since announcing this project at our local Community Economic Development (CED) meeting in September there has been a lot of interest generated and we hope that local businesses will work with us to gather our information.
If you would like to find out more about this project and/or the local CED meetings or are interested in helping out please contact me at 656-1103 or elcm@eelslake.com. I want to encourage the North Kawartha business community to help out by completing a survey. The more that get involved with this project the more valuable information will be gathered, leading to the development of strategies for sustainable economic development in our community.