$95,000 grant for economic development plan

The county has received a $95,000 provincial grant to assist with implementing its economic development strategic plan.

The grant is part of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment’s Communities in Transition program.

County economic development officer Jana Reichert said the grant will assist the county in developing the plan,  which identified four strategic activities to focus on.

Those include an online, one-stop shop for investment and growth, which will include an economic development page on the county website with a comprehensive list of businesses, lifestyle assets and building and land availability.

It will also include, according to Reichert, a workforce strategy and a county-wide business visitation program where businesses seeking to locate to the county can see those already operating here.

“We look forward to working closer with our businesses, listening to them, communicating opportunities, promoting their operations and ultimately, growing our economy to take the tax burden off our residents,” Reichert said in an email to the Advertiser.

Warden Chris White said, “This is great recognition from the province since the economic development strategy was approved by council Nov. 13, 2012. The county has achieved some great momentum.”

Minto Mayor George Bridge, chairman of the county economic development committee, added, “The News is wonderful for our communities across Wellington.

“I know we are on the right track and we will continue to be proactive, promoting Wellington as a great place to invest, work and live.”

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