STRATEGIC THEME 3 | Economic Development

Build vibrant, prosperous and sustainable communities by facilitating connections with our partners and stakeholders to encourage economic and community development.

Key Outcomes:

3.a Identify and/or lead opportunities with partner agencies to encourage economic development growth.

3.b Work with non-profits to build communities of choice.

3.c Identify opportunities for greater flexibility in land use for economic development benefits.

3.d Consolidate and upgrade internal technology services to streamline and improve citizen services.

3.e Advocate for increased telecommunication connectivity to support economic development.

Administration Activities

1 Review and update the County’s Growth and Economic Development Plan (GEDP).

Planned Actions for Delivery

a. Re-define roles of the County and partner agencies in Economic Development (ED).

b. Provide ED orientation to Council and senior management with overview of the current GEDP.

c. Align the GEDP and County Planning Framework to encourage flexibility of lot sizes, and appropriate use of topography; remove ambiguity in language.

d. Develop a program to promote tax advantages of development within the County, aligning with the GEDP and MDP.

e. Update marketing materials and County’s public information databases (Middle of Everywhere; availability of infra, utilities, amenities, etc.).

f. Develop staff orientation materials regarding the County’s role in ED. Every employee is the County’s ED ambassador.

g. Develop a policy on investment to facilitate economic development in the County (capital, tax incentives, planning/engineering studies).

Project Lead Timeline

Director of Planning & Development Q4 2023

Director of Planning & Development Completed

Director of Planning & Development Q3 2025

Director of Planning & Development Q3 2023

Director of Planning & Development Completed

Director of Planning & Development Q4 2023

Director of Planning & Development Q4 2023

Administration Activities Planned Actions for Delivery Project Lead Timeline

2 Review GEDP for synergies with the Regional Economic Development Strategy.

a. Identify opportunities for regional partnerships through ongoing inter-municipal engagements.

b. Evaluate impacts and identify opportunities through Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs) and intermunicipal cooperation.

Director of Planning & Development Completed

Director of Planning & Development Q2 2024 a. Provide annual business visitation report to Council to identify gaps and potential solutions. b. Determine the County’s role in the provision of broadband services.

3 Continue business retention and expansion program and review results for potential implementation.

Director of Planning & Development Completed

Director of Planning & Development Q3 2023 a. Define the economic development roles of boards, agencies, and nonprofits. Offer economic development orientation for boards, agencies, and non-profit. b. Conduct open houses for boards, agencies, developers, and realtors. c. Conduct County planning framework orientation for public member appointees to Subdivision Development Appeal Board (SDAB). d. Evaluate Community Group Support Coordinator role (Includes facilitation of governance and finance training for non-profits).

4 Build stronger relationship with boards and agencies to ensure they are aware of Council’s priorities and can use that as a decision factor.

Director of Planning & Development Q4 2023

Director of Planning & Development Completed

Director of Planning & Development Q1 2024

Director of Community Services Completed