1. Preparing for the Future
EDCO’s Regional Research Project
Photo: James UK via Flickr

2. EDCO 600 members Municipal, provincial, federal governments
Business Associations
Workforce Development Organizations
Industrial, commercial realtors and land developers

3. Helping Members Become More Effective

4. Ontario’s Economy is in Transition
An Economy in Transition

5. Your Role
Your Role
New strategies
A strong and diverse economy

6. New Economic Development Renewed Focus
Business Retention and Expansion
Entrepreneurship
Business start ups
2nd Stage Entrepreneurs
Richard Florida
The Creative Class
Mega Regions

7. Special Projects
LETI 1 – Mock Site selection exercise & workshops (2007)
LETI 2 – Expanded site selection exercise, site visits, best practices workshops (2008)
Tourism Investment Readiness Workshops with PKF (2009)
LETI 3 – NEW Website best practices and evaluation (2010)

8. Outcome Regional Research Program
Building the skills and capacity of economic development practitioners

9. Regional Research Program Goals
Build awareness of analytical techniques
Build the skills of economic development practitioners
Provide improved economic development strategies to their communities
Share insights and best practices, tools and processes
Develop local and regional economic development strategies based on sound analysis

10. Regional Development ? Preferred by Province Stronger outcomes
Based on efficiencies and critical mass

11. Regional Research Program
2 year project
Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs
Focus on small urban and rural regions

12. Regional Research Program
Tools and Tactics for Effective Regional Strategy Development
Best Practice Models + Innovation in Regional Economic Development
Academic + Applied Research Initiatives

13. Skills for Strategic Planning
Community Economic Analysis
Strategic Planning
Training Delivery Models

14. Your Invitation Join in! Conference, regional workshops, webinars
Include economic development in your Council orientation

16. Contact Lauren Milllier Heather Lalonde Ec.D.
EDCO President
EDCO Executive Director

17. Thank you