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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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 **Attempt was made to gather responses from businesses that were representative of the region.

6. 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

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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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, participants

13. 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

14. Questions?
Contact Information: Wendy Timpano Orillia Area CDC Phone: