Whitewater council hears update on Business Retention project

By Marie Zettler

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Whitewater Region -- Businesses in Whitewater Region will be invited to participate in the municipality’s new Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) project officially launched on December 16, 2021.

Scott Hamilton, Business Outreach Officer for the municipality, presented an update to Whitewater Council at its December 15 meeting.

Mr. Hamilton told council that February 1, 2022, has been set as the launch date for surveys to be provided to all business in Whitewater Region.

“The BR&E project includes a systemic interview process of businesses from all sectors of Whitewater

Region,” said Mr. Hamilton. “I will undertake this interview process with assistance from (township) staff, the project leadership team, and community volunteers. A survey will focus on identifying businesses looking to expand and areas in which the municipality can assist these businesses.”

The role of Business Outreach Officer is a contract position.

The Business Retention & Expansion project is a structured actionoriented and community-based approach to business and economic development. It is formatted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and helps municipalities prioritize their efforts to support existing and

Police seek information on suspicious male who tried to lure female

Laurentian Valley -- The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV)

Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a report of a suspicious male who invited a female pedestrian in her early teens to enter his vehicle.

The incident took place at about 3 p.m. on December 14 on Allen Street in Laurentian Valley Township.

As the pedestrian approached the male’s parked vehicle, he invited her to get in the vehicle. The pedestrian declined and continued walking only to observe the same vehicle driving toward her on Glen Street a short time later. The female became concerned and made her way to a place of safety and the vehicle left in an unknown direction.

The person of interest is described as an Englishspeaking white male with a goatee, wearing sunglasses with an orange tint to the lens, approximately 40 years old. He was driving a newer model white vehicle, possibly a small SUV.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP at 613-732-3332 or Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477).

Parents are reminded to speak to their children about their personal safety including not accepting rides from unknown individuals.

Phoenix Centre starts search for a new ED

Pembroke -- The Board of the Phoenix Centre and Greg Lubimiv, its executive director (ED) are preparing for Mr. Lubimiv’s retirement after 41 years of service.

He has decided to work towards his retirement through a well-planned transition of his leadership role. Mr. Lubimiv has provided extraordinary leadership throughout his career using his skill, wisdom and creativity to constantly improve mental health services in the County of Renfrew, in the province as well as nationally.

The Phoenix Centre will begin its search for a new ED who will benefit from a transition period where Mr. Lubimiv will be able to provide mentorship and support.

“As a board we appreciate the many initiatives Greg has been and is involved in as a part of his passion and commitment to the transformation of services to children, youth and families,” said Dez Bair-Patel, President of the Phoenix Centre Board. “We are also very pleased there will be time for Greg to continue in many of these roles to ensure there is a continuation of work already started.”

Mr. Bair-Patel added the board will continue to make its commitment to the current partnerships, collaborations, initiatives and projects which are in progress and are essential to the continual improvements of the mental health system.

Mr. Lubimiv said he has mixed feelings as he thinks of retirement.

“I have had the privilege of being the executive director for over four decades and am one of the lucky people who has enjoyed going to work every day,” he said. “I have also had the honour of working with countless staff, board members, service leaders and community members who have worked with me to improve the lives of children, youth and families in Renfrew County and beyond. However, I also look forward to making different contributions for when I start my new journey.” new businesses. OMAFRA lists many different benefits of running an economic development project like the BR&E.

Mr. Bair-Patel said as the search for a new executive director gets underway the board knows Mr. Lubimiv leaves a powerful legacy and an organization known for its culture of caring, professionalism, creativity and competence.

“In a rural community’s economy, anywhere from 76 to 90 per cent of all new jobs come from existing businesses,” said Mr. Hamilton. “It (the project) supports business growth and fosters communication between businesses and the council. It can lead to creating a direct business networking group and allows businesses to become involved in the greater community.”

The survey will close in April 2022.

In June 2022 an action plan will be presented to Council. According to analyst data provided by OMAFRA, there are currently 402 businesses in Whitewater Region. These include self-employed professionals, agriculture farmers, and traditional businesses. This number is compared to the 428 total recorded businesses in June 2019. This shows a total of 26 businesses closed between 2019 and 2021. According to the data, from 2019 to 2021, there were 136 jobs lost in Whitewater, amounting to six per cent of total jobs in the municipality. Business statistics from the past 10 years show that 100 businesses have closed in Whitewater from 2011 till 2021, with 350 jobs lost in that same period. Several business leaders in the com- munity have agreed to form a leadership team to advise and assist with the BR&E project. Team members are Dave McGonegal of Renfrew County Beef Farmers of Ontario; Bev Buchanan, Buchanan Sand and Gravel; Cindy Jamieson, Jamieson Travel & Whitewater Inn; Jeff Black, Glasshouse Botanics; Chris Thompson, Whitewater Brewery, and Bill McGill, Summerhill Resorts.

The project supports the strategies of the 2020 - 2030 Township Strategic Plan and the 2021 Community Development Workplan with respect to fostering economic development by encouraging the redevelopment and improvement of business and commercial corridors throughout the township; supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses and attracting new economic development; supporting continued growth and development, and fostering economic development and tourism.

Starting in 2022 businesses in Whitewater will be contacted to participate in a detailed survey. Volunteers are needed to assist with the survey delivery. The survey results will culminate with an action plan to help guide council’s focus in the future.

For more details or to be a part of the project, please visit www.whitewaterregion.ca or contact Scott Hamilton 613-646-2282 ext 143 shamilton@ whitewaterregion.ca.