Working Together Regional BR+E Project, Ontario’s Lake Country

CDC Background The CDC is a federally supported not-for-profit organization, working with community partners to develop and sustain the local economy through: Business Financing Business Counseling; and Community economic development projects With the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Regional Business Retention + Expansion study In Ontario’s lake country

Background Orillia BR+E completed in 2010 Regional BR+E Four key areas for improvement identified and addressed Regional BR+E qualitative and quantitative data to be collected and analyzed Municipal/area data vs. regional data On-site data entry Multiple Partners = Different Needs

Target Activity REGION +/- 10% 42 160 TARGETS ACHIEVED Accuracy # of Interviews ORILLIA +/- 15% 41 43 ORO-MEDONTE 40 RAMA 10 6 RAMARA 36 32 SEVERN 38 39 REGION +/- 10% 42 160 *Targets developed in consultation with OMAFRA, based on number of businesses in the area as of Dec 2014. **Attempt was made to gather responses from businesses that were representative of the region.

Project Partners Orillia Area CDC Township of Oro-Medonte Township of Ramara Township of Severn City of Orillia Chippewas of Rama First Nation County of Simcoe Province of Ontario, OMAFRA

Regional Relationships History of Collaboration Regional Economic Development Meetings Role of the CDC vs. other community stakeholders Community Opportunities Development Committee

Outcomes SWOT – municipal/area and regional Goals – 5 regional; plus 4 municipal/area specific Actions – 10 priority actions

After the Final Report Communication is key www.lcbre.ca – data & reports Stakeholder meetings Identifying potential project leads Municipal deputations Regional Meetings

After the Final Report: Addressing the recommendations Example #1: Municipal Economic Development Strategic Planning Oro-Medonte Economic Development Strategic Plan - incorporated addressing planning and development barriers - improved infrastructure for internet services - improve investment readiness Ramara Economic Development Strategic Plan - developed economic advisory committee - increased marketing for industrial park

After the Final Report: Addressing the recommendations Example #2: Regional Investment Attraction Strategy Regional focus on tourism Tourism Asset Mapping & Best Bet Opportunities - regional partnerships - looking for opportunities; but is also a support tool - Nordic Spa ($10M+ Investment; 40+ jobs) Tourism Investment Opportunities: feasibility studies

After the Final Report: Addressing the recommendations Example #3: Enhance existing & develop new training opportunities for local industry Professional Development Program Began 2010, reinforced 2016 Multi-stakeholder collaboration 15 to 20 workshops/year Attendance grows every year (often sell out) Over 125 workshops, 2000+ participants

After the Final Report: Addressing the recommendations Additional results… - Internet Service: assistance with relocation; Bell Fibre Network - Youth retention/workforce: youth wage subsidy/job-ready - Transportation: Continued discussion - Succession planning: new business transition matching program

Questions? Contact Information: Wendy Timpano Orillia Area CDC Phone: 705.325.4903 www.orilliacdc.com wtimpano@orilliacdc.com