EDCNS wants to take local communities to 'next level'

A local economic development agency is taking a unique approach to hearing from local residents.

This week, the Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe (EDCNS) has been setting up shop in its four member municipalities as part of a public participation process.

“We’ve been really busy doing the engagements,” says executive director Suzanne McCrimmon, who took over the top job at the EDCNS six months ago.

“There have been a lot of common themes. It’s not just about Georgian Bay.”

From increasing attainable housing and rentals to ensuring businesses have a place to grow and flourish and the region has adequate opportunities for youth to encourage young families to remain in the area, the organization’s heard a number of themes while speaking with a wide range of the local demographic from seniors and students to business owners, farmers and entrepreneurs.

As an example, McCrimmon said some suggested that homes sitting vacant at various times of the year could be rented over the short term.

So far, the EDCNS has held “pop-up engagements” at Foodland in Penetanguishene,  the Midland Public Library and at Maurice’s Your Independent Grocer in downtown Midland. They’re wrapping things up this afternoon with a visit to Tay Library’s Victoria Harbour branch.

An online survey is also available for residents to voice their opinions until month's end.

“It’s been an interesting experience for me,” said McCrimmon, who's also worked with economic development agencies in Squamish, British Columbia and Peterborough and the Kawarthas over her 20-year career.

“Now is the perfect time to collectively imagine the reality of what EDCNS can do in the next couple of years, alongside our community partners, to take the region as a whole to the next level.”

The move comes as the organization works to develop a new strategic plan to take to the four municipal councils in the new year.

“EDCNS is looking to ignite the whole community’s interest and investment in North  Simcoe’s economic future through this engagement process,” McCrimmon said.

“In  creating an economic development strategy with concrete actions and performance indicators, the organization will have a crystal-clear plan generated for 2023-25 that is generated with citizen input.”

EDCNS exists as a unique collaborative partnership between the four municipalities  of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay and Tiny coming together as a regional ‘Power of  Four’, promoting and fostering sustainable economic growth together and being the choice destination for thriving innovative business and four-season lifestyle.

McCrimmon believes there is no better time to engage the public in this discussion.

“Our sectors and business owners have been working really hard the last couple of  years to not just stay afloat in uniquely challenging times, but have been moving forward with innovative solutions to complex problems, collaborative partnerships and a precision focus.”Since arriving in the region, McCrimmon said she’s been impressed by how eager the four municipalities are to work together to better North Simcoe rather than just looking out for their own interests.

“The four municipalities are very supportive of economic development in a business sense, not just in a community sense,” she said. “When I arrived, I couldn’t believe how respectful they were of each other. They’re not competing against one another."