Middlesex County Economic Development Strategy Introduction for the Municipality of Thames Centre

Transcription

1 Middlesex County Economic Development Strategy Introduction for the Municipality of Thames Centre Aileen Murray Ec.D. (F) Manager of Economic Development Middlesex County x 2347

2 Process Economic Analysis Background Review Consultation Strategic Priorities Strategic Plan Vision Goals, Objectives, Actions Implementation 2

3 Consultation 4 Focus Groups 170 Community Surveys 30 Stakeholder Interviews 3

4 Steering Committee Michael Barnier, Municipality of Middlesex Centre Cara Finn, Middlesex Business Help Centre Laura Garner, Tourism Middlesex Art Lawson, South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Jim Maudsley, Middlesex County Council, Mayor Thames Centre Debra Mountenay, Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning & Development Board Aileen Murray, Middlesex County Economic Development Bill Rayburn, CAO, Middlesex County Doug Reycraft, Municipality of Southwest Middlesex Brad Richards, Warden Middlesex County 2013 Durk Vanderwerff, Middlesex County Planning Department Joanne Wraith, jpw Systems 4

5 Vision Middlesex will leverage its strategic location in the attraction of new business, investment and skilled workers while protecting and retaining its countryside image and community spirit. 5

6 Vision Middlesex will leverage the lifestyle choices, economic vitality and natural environment that makes the County an attractive place to live, work and do business. 6

7 Vision Middlesex will foster economic diversification efforts that enhance the strengths of the regional economy and build on the County s history of entrepreneurship to provide resilient employment and investment in the region. 7

8 Strategic Priorities Invest in the County s Infrastructure Enhance Communication & Networking Opportunities Broaden Business Retention & Expansion Effort 8

9 Strategic Priorities Leverage Proximity to London Pursue Targeted Investment Attraction Opportunities Develop Community Based Tourism 9

10 Strategic Priorities Support Sustainability of Small Business Focus on Workforce Attraction Expand Understanding of Agricultural Sector 10

11 Goals A Supportive Environment for Business and Investment Expand the County s Broadband infrastructure Ensure County policies direct and manage growth and support the attraction of business investment Explore the opportunities to create a County level Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Promote and actively expand the resources for small business and start-ups Promote the Middlesex CFDC s Business Help Centre and its efforts to provide guidance and support to start-ups and existing small business Create an entrepreneurial spirit among students and youth 11

12 Goals Proactive and Targeted Business Attraction Promote the County s lead generation protocol Maintain an available property inventory on the County s website Continue to upgrade the County s website Focus marketing on advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, professional and business services and transportation and warehousing sectors Pursue opportunities to cooperate with the London Economic Development Corporation Tailor international marketing efforts on advanced manufacturing and agriculture/ agri-business opportunities Cultivate relationships with federal and provincial foreign investment intermediaries Develop and Agriculture- Agribusiness sector strategy 12

13 Goals Commitment to Community Sustainability & Growth Create a Middlesex Economic Development Partnership Forum Implement a Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Program Labour force planning efforts led by EMO Workforce Training and Development Board Cooperate with the Middlesex CFDC to implement a Main Street Program Form a County Agriculture Advisory Committee Form a County Tourism Advisory Committee 13

14 Implementation Schedule Short Review Official Plan County CIP Internet toolkit for business Lead generation protocol Certified Site Program Agri-business strategy Medium Broadband capacity of business parks County wide CIP standards CIP for agriculture Business assistance partners Catalogue programs for youth entrepreneurship Youth entrepreneurship committee Support CFDC Centre for Non-profit collaboration Agriculture Advisory Committee Regional Agriculture Tourism Strategy Community Tourism asset mapping Long Incorporate broadband into road construction Short - Medium Explore broadband options County level CIP Collaborate with LEDC Economic Development Partners Forums Visitation Program by Sector Medium - Long Create youth entrepreneurial spirit Marketing to large retail BR & E top 25 companies Cooperate with CFDC Mainstreet program 14

15 Implementation Schedule Short Medium - Long Broadband options, capacity and expansion Expand resources to support small business & start ups Promote directory of business services and supports Promote CFDC Business Help Centre Host networking events Inventory of available property Continue to upgrade website New resident attraction Business success stories Promote industrial land to target sectors Industrial land marketing 15

16 Shared Activities - BR&E program (short, medium & long term) - Certified Site Program (short term) - Main street program (medium to long term) 16

17 County Lead Expand broadband infrastructure Official Plan review County level CIP Promote lead generation protocol Inventory of available property Website Marketing to target sectors Relationships with foreign investment influencers Middlesex Economic Development Partnership Forum Tourism advisory committee, workshop Tourism Signage Strategy 17

18 2014 Action Plan Strategic Plan Introduction Tourism Signage Program Certified Site Program Broadband Initiative Marketing: web, print, target data Small business tool kit Ontario Food Cluster Missions LEDC collaboration BR&E Tourism Workshop Municipal update Agriculture Sector Strategy 18

19 Videos Featuring Thames Centre Businesses See the whole series of videos on YouTube

20 Thank you! Aileen Murray Ec.D. (F) Economic Development Manager x