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Economic development committee strategic plan gets green light By Liz Dadson |
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Kincardine council has given the green light for the economic development committee to implement its strategic plan. The plan's goals were outlined by consultant Gerry Taylor of SMART Project Management, in committee-of-the-whole Dec. 20. The idea is to create an efficient system of operation for the committee, while meeting the requirements of the 2010 Community Plan, Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and other future project development, he said. Among the goals is addressing internal and external communications, developing a committee marketing plan, reviewing best practices, and identifying public grant opportunities. The committee has been struggling to become an organization at arm's length to council, rather than a committee of council, in order to better promote the municipality and work with prospective companies wanting to locate in Kincardine. The Integrated Sustainability Plan would allow the committee to utilize gas tax revenue from the federal government, said Taylor. The strategic plan gives the committee an efficient model for handling projects in the future, he added. An evolving community strategy shows the committee drawing on the Community 2010 Plan, Sustainable Community Plan, community partners, the business community and other sources, and working with council and the Sustainable Action Committee, as well as municipal staff and community team members. Taylor said the strategic plan provides 21 recommendations for consideration. He suggested the change in management be implemented gradually to reduce culture shock and operational disruption. "The economic development committee and municipal staff have demonstrated a willingness to consider these improvements," he said. Councillor Ron Coristine said the report is exciting as it demonstrates the importance of incorporating project management skills on the economic development committee.
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Councillor
Jacqueline Faubert was surprised that the Kincardine Business
Improvement Area (BIA) was not part of the facilitation group on this
strategic plan. "The BIA plays an important role in this partnership and should be kept abreast of this type of information," she said. Taylor said both the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce and the BIA will play a major role in the Sustainable Community Plan process. In fact, individuals on the Sustainable Action Committee should include representatives from the chamber and the BIA, as well as the economic development committee, he said. Councillor Kenneth Craig asked how this strategic plan ties in with the Kincardine Community Plan. "The strategic plan is based around the mechanics of the economic development committee and how it functions," said Taylor, while the Community Plan is more broad-based. Mayor Larry Kraemer said the committee has recognized that it needs a more formalized structure in order to provide efficient and effective development of the community. Council accepted the strategic plan. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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