ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM, TOWNHALL, FEBRUARY 11, 2009, 8:30 a.m. MINUTES Present: Mayor Anita Dubeau Councillor Anne Murphy Larry Cascagnette Paul Armer Peter Hominuk Also Present: C.A.O. Eleanor J. Rath Community Development Coordinator, Wendy Cousineau Manager of Recreation Services, Pat Harwood North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation, Lois Irvine Absent: Mike Gagnon Mike McKeown Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce, Denise Hayes 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 8:34 a.m. 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES i) Minutes of December 10, 2008 Moved by Councillor Anne Murphy and Seconded by Peter Hominuk Recommended Action: THAT the minutes of the Economic Development Committee held on December 10, 2008 be approved. CARRIED 3. NEW BUSINESS ACTIVITY i) Chandler and Chandler Insurance Brokers New office located in Village Square Mall (upstairs). Page 1 of 5
Metriz Bistro and Boutique Boutique area availabe in the front portion of the building. i Spatz Footwear/Sears Outlet Relocated from Water Street location to the Village Square Mall. 4. SECTORAL UPDATES i) Finance - Paul Armer Paul Armer provided an overview of the global market. Items discussed included niche market opportunities for Penetanguishene, an increase in the number of small business loans, commercial credit restrictions for affected business sectors (ie. automotive) and an increased need for employment resources. Loan alternatives for small business ventures include North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation and La Cle d la Baie (francophones). Industry - Larry Cascagnette Updated provided regarding Techform, Georgian Plastic, CCL as well as the impact of current economy on the trucking industry. Larry Cascagnette to coordinate an industrial on site tour for EDC. The C.A.O. provided update regarding the status of site plan development at Industrial Filter. i Marina - Mike McKeown The C.A.O. and CDC met with local OMAFRA representative regarding available programs including the possibility of a marina questionnaire to identify local strengths and weaknesses. iv) Tourism Beyond the City Lights Simcoe County Tourism Conference - Wendy Cousineau Champlain Commemorations - Peter Hominuk Georgian Bay Destination Development (Coastal Route) - Denise Hayes Page 2 of 5
War of 1812 - Denise Hayes Simcoe County Tourism - Wendy Cousineau Beyond the City Lights - Simcoe County Rural Tourism Conference The event scheduled on Tuesday, April 28 at Cranberry Resort will feature keynote speaker Roger Brooks, one of the most recognized experts in destination development. Funds available for one committee member to attend if requested. Champlain Commemorations Current focus is the redevelopment of a strategic plan. A survey form will be forwarded to to targeted partners and at to the public in the next month in order to inventory all available and/or possible projects which could be coordinated. The ACE partnership will be taking on the coordination of a festival as a collaborative effort. Georgian Bay Destination Development Update not available War of 1812 The C.A.O. advised funding for a project coordinator has been approved. Projects noted which received funding were successful at engaging the community in the development process. Unfortunately as Discovery Harbour is a government site, they are not able to capitalize on additional government funds for infrastructure projects. Additional update not available. Simcoe County Tourism Simcoe County Tourism and Simcoe County Farm Fresh co-hosted an information session to identify potential interest in the development of Culinary Tourism. Speakers included Richard Innes and Rebecca LeHeup-Bucknell of the Ontario Culinary Tourism Association. Partners willing to participate on a steering committe will be contacted to develop planning steps for Simcoe County. Recommended Action: Receive verbal updates. v) Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Update - Lois Irvine Lois Irvine presented the BR&E regional summary. Items highlighted include: Community - Transportation, Environmental, Partnership, Recreation, Hospitality, Natural Resources 5. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION i) Communities in Bloom - Pat Harwood Page 3 of 5
Overview of Communities in Bloom program was provided by Manager of Recreation, Pat Harwood. Community meetings will be held to determine interest to Put the Sheen in Penetanguishene. The program is composed of a variety of criteria which would require the involvement of the entire community. Community Market - Wendy Cousineau A community meeting will be held at the Penetanguishene Public Library to determine interest in the development of the project, obtain feedback, identify potential vendors and committee members. i Penetanguishene Winterama - Wendy Cousineau Presentation of Winterama promotional material including weekend activity brochure, posters and Winterama buttons. Media to include print and radio. Information available in English and/or French included letters forwarded to all local schools, posters and web based event landing page. iv) Business Award Submissions Re: Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting Deadline for award submissions was February 7th. An award submission for Bayfield House Retirement Lodge was forwarded on behalf of the EDC. v) Special Event Update - Wendy Cousineau (- ON DESK) A list of confirmed events in Penetanguishene for 2009 was provided for reference. Additional considerations may include Georgian Bay Poker Run, Georgian Bay Tugfest and two fishing tournaments (1 in August and 1 in September). 6. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION i) Signage & Streetscaping Discussion regarding costs involved and options to raise the Town Industrial Park signage located at Industrial Filter. Page 4 of 5
A local artist has completed 8 X 7 mural depicting the original dedication of the angels. An opportunity will be arranged for the committee members to view the mural. Cost to purchase the mural is $3,600. Evaluation of current parking and destination signage to identify priorities for 2009 (ie Town signage and community service board sign on Main Street). Full streetscape plan to be developed (Eleanor, Pat, Wendy). Moved by Peter Hominuk and Seconded by Councillor Anne Murphy THAT the Economic Development Committee recommends to Planning & Development Section that the Town assume the cost to raise the Industrial Park sign at Industrial Park sign through the Signage Program. CARRIED 7. QUESTIONS & INQUIRIES i) Heritage Penetanguishene Doors Open Huronia June 6-7, 2009 Penetanguishene sites include Townhall, St. Anne s Church, Thompson House and St. James on the Lines. Streetlight Program Committee members noted positive comments received on the streetlight project as a result of promotion within the local press. i Midland and District Business Women s Association s Business Woman of the Year Awards Event to be held on March 25, 2009 at the Brooklea Golf and Country Club. Committee members are encouraged to submit potential nominees from the Penetanguishene area. 8. NEXT MEETING March 11, 2009 at 8:30 am Townhall for a presentation on the Georgian Manor (Georgian Village) development. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m. RECORDING SECRETARY Page 5 of 5