Residents here are hoping a bit of horse sense will help develop the local economy.
Economic development committee chairman Brian Gentles, Mary Venneman and Dr. Kim Hall were at council Feb. 7 promoting the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs business expansion and retention project.
It is an all-volunteer program. The committee has budgeted $6,500 to cover incidentals and the operation of a group of about 30.
Venneman said members are considering how to promote economic development given the restraints of the Greenbelt, the Credit Valley Conservation watershed area, and sewage and settlement issues. The other issue is manageable by volunteers.
They look to the OMAFRA model, which has a proven track record focuses on small to medium size communities.
“Usually the full business expansion and retention pro–ject would look at all business opportunities,” Venneman said. “Given this was being done by volunteers, the scope was too big.”
The focus now is on the equine industry. “Why equine? It is a real growth industry in Wellington County.”
She said, “It is interesting to note Wellington County is the leading region for the horse industry. The annual economic impact for Wellington County is $49 million.”
Investment in fixed assets in the county is in excess of $500 million. She said between 2001 and 2006, the equine population of Wellington County grew by 50%.
“It gives you an order of magnitude of the opportunity that is here in Erin.”
This is the first time a survey was designed for a specific rural industry. “All the other municipalities in the area have their eyes on this as well.”
She said there are four phases to the initiative, and the survey represents only the first part. Recommendations would still need to be brought to the economic development committee and council.
“We would like to be able to engage the broader community in those recommendations.”
Hall said quite a few months have been spent developing the survey.
Another difference between the typical business expansion and retention project is the focus is not only on the business and industry view, but to supplement that information with that provided by recreational, pleasure and competitive riders, Hall said
That information could provide a significant impact.
She said participation in the study is voluntary and all information provided will remain confidential.
Councillor Barb Tocher asked if there would be any input from the non-equine community.
“No,” was the response.
Tocher said there may be conflicts, such as trail usage.
Hall said issues such as that might be identified in questions regarding potential challenges and barriers to the equine industry.
She said once the recommendations are released, more research may be required.
