Wellington North is seeking $25,000 from the county to implement the township’s Community Growth Plan and Saugeen Connect.
In a report to council on Sept. 11, economic development officer Dale Small explained the county’s 2017 Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Implementation Fund is available to all municipalities in Wellington to help with economic development projects.
In the past, Wellington North has used the fund to support community improvement programs, Renew Northern Wellington, the Wellington North Showcase and more.
This year, Small recommended putting the $25,000 towards the Community Growth Plan and Saugeen Connect.
The growth plan, which is currently underway, aims to identify growth and prioritize development areas within Wellington North.
Saugeen Connect is a new partnership with the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Town of Minto, Town of Hanover and West Grey to focus on business succession planning and attracting people.
Small said the township connected with the SEDC over a year ago regarding the “number of businesses we were seeing in our community, where the owners were nearing retirement and the challenge of succession planning …
“Then it kind of transitioned to ‘Well, we’re also trying to focus on immigrant attraction, trying to focus also on how can we retain our youth,’ and we believe there’s a connection between all three of those through this program.”
According to the report, the program will enhance the local economy by connecting businesses through succession planning, immigration and youth talent.
“That’s great; it’s good that we can collaborate with our neighbours to get some more critical mass too,” said Mayor Andy Lennox.
Council approved the recommendation unanimously.
