Author: ON Regional Economic Development
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Zen and the Art of Business Retention and Expansion
It seems simple, right? Interview a bunch of businesses, and then do what they told you to do. There! A Business Retention + Expansion (BR+E) project! If only. BR+E projects are complex, multi-stakeholder efforts with many moving parts. They need a strong foundation, good partnerships and a healthy dose of flexibility. At the Ontario East…
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Getting Ready for Ag Week – Know your regional stats!
October 7-13 is Ontario Agriculture Week; a time dedicated to celebrating the abundance of food our farmers produce, the people our industry employs, the rural communities we support and the economic engine we fuel. Many communities recognize that agriculture benefits regional economies, however, clearly communicating the contributions of the sector can be challenging. Presenting data…
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Three must read reports for EcDev professionals regarding the changing Canadian workforce
In the face of an aging population, climate change and an increasingly digitized world, the Canadian workforce is being pressured to adapt in preparation for the future. While common assumptions may assert that immigration, environmental challenges and technological advances will be the greatest factors influencing the future of work in Canada, the breadth and depth…
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Celebrating the Cultivation of Agri-food Innovation in Ontario
The 2019 Excellence in Agriculture program is open to receive applications until October 11, 2019. The Excellence in Agriculture program recognizes agri-food innovations and advancements that demonstrate leadership, product development or technology advancement that will benefit the sector. The innovations recognized will be those that have potential to help move the agri-food sector forward, so…
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Tips for Completing your Rural Economic Development (RED) Program Application
The Rural Economic Development (RED) program supports activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario and opens doors to rural economic development. The program is now open and will accept applications until September 9, 2019. Applicants are required to read the program guidelines before completing an application form. The program guidelines provide detailed information on…
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Place to Grow Guide for Applicants
Ontario’s government is helping to grow the province’s agri-food and agri-products sectors by launching the Place to Grow: Agri-food Innovation Initiative – a program which will help drive innovation, reduce red tape, and address industry priorities. This new initiative, which is comprised of ‘Funding for Sectors‘ and ‘Strategic Solutions‘, will support agriculture and food value-chain…
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Location, Location, Location!
Choosing a location is one of the most important decisions entrepreneurs make when planning or relocating their business venture. Here’s a request we received from a retail client: “I might have an opportunity to move on to the main street, but I need more information for my business partner. He doesn’t seem to think it…
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The Rural Economic Development (RED) is Accepting Applications
What is the RED Program? Rural Economic Development (RED) is a cost-share funding program that supports projects that remove barriers to economic development in rural communities. What are RED Outcomes? RED applications are assessed on their ability to result in one or more of the following: Jobs retained or created Investments attracted or retained Businesses…
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Learn the fundamentals of BR+E on September 19, 2019 in Blyth, Ontario
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Business Retention and Expansion program (BR+E) is a structured, four-stage approach focused on ensuring that local businesses in rural communities survive and thrive. When communities take on a BR+E project, they take meaningful steps towards retaining and expanding businesses by getting a clear understanding of…
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Do You Have a Water Contingency Plan?
In 2016, many areas of the province saw very warm and dry conditions. In 2017, the opposite occurred. Many areas of the province experienced excessive amounts rain, leading to saturated soils and flooding. There are many resources, including publications from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), that can help farmers manage water…