Wellington County Warden George Bridge has been named chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) economic development committee.
The committee was established to fill a void left by the dissolution of the South Western Economic Alliance (SWEA).
“Warden Bridge is an excellent choice,” stated WOWC chair Randy Hop, mayor of Chatham-Kent, in a Nov. 12 press release. “His background in the financial industry and his current responsibilities in the economic development of Wellington County will provide focus and leadership for this new initiative.”
Among the committee’s first priorities will be the development of a Southwestern Ontario Economic Development Strategy. The committee will begin the process by advising the Premiere Kathleen Wynne and appropriate provincial ministries of the intention of the Warden’s Caucus to approach the mayors of the separated cities of Guelph, Brantford, Stratford, London, St. Mary’s, St. Thomas, Barrie, Orillia and Windsor and the chair of the Region of Waterloo, in order to formulate an economic alliance partnership.
Early in the New Year, the mayors will be invited to attend a WOWC meeting to discuss items of shared interest and consider a rural/urban caucus structure “that will allow for collaborative partnerships in infrastructure renewal, financial and technological opportunites, and addressing regulatory challenges,” the release states.
The final stage will be to define and develop a southwestern Ontario economic development strategy.
“I am honoured to have been chosen to lead this important committee,” says Bridge, who is also mayor of the Town of Minto. “I look forward to the process, meeting with all of the mayors and helping return economic prosperity to southwestern Ontario.”
