June 5, 2017 staff report re: Business Retention Programs (Director, Community & Development Services)

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1 Agenda Lennox and Addington County Economic Development Coalition Meeting to be held - Thursday, June 15, 2017 Committee Room County Court House 7:00 PM Call to Order Adoption of Minutes Meeting held - April 27, 2017 Page 2-3 Approval of Agenda Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof Matters for Consideration 1. Business Retention Programs June 5, 2017 staff report re: Business Retention Programs (Director, Community & Development Services) Page Rural Employment Initiative June 5, 2017 staff report re: Rural Employment Initiative (Community Development Officer) Page 6 3. Activity Report June 5, 2017 staff report re: Activity Report (Director, Community & Development Services and Community Development Officer) Page 7-10 Other Business Adjournment

2 Page 2 of 10 LENNOX AND ADDINGTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COALITION Meeting held - Thursday, April 27, 2017 Committee Room, County Court House 7:00 PM Present: Councillor Ric Bresee Councillor Henry Hogg Warden Bill Lowry Linda Bongard Ken Hook Steve Collings Aline Lamere Christopher Lucas Staff Present: Regrets: Stephen Paul, Director, Community and Development Services Rob Plumley, Community Development Officer Rob Jordan Cynthia Surette Andrea Cross Call to Order Councillor Bresee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Councillor Hogg Seconded by Steve Collings That the minutes of the Thursday, January 19, 2017 meeting of the Lennox and Addington County Economic Development Coalition be adopted. EDC CARRIED Approval of Agenda Moved by Ken Hook Seconded by Aline Lamere That the agenda be approved. EDC CARRIED Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof No disclosure of pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof was declared.

3 Economic Development Coalition Meeting held - April 27, 2017 Page 3 of 10 Page 2 of 2 Matters for Consideration Business Retention Programs Moved by Ken Hook Seconded by Aline Lamere That the April 18, 2017 staff report re: Business Retention Programs (Director, Community & Development Services) be noted and received. EDC CARRIED New Economic Development Website Activity Report Moved by Ken Hook Seconded by Aline Lamere That the April 18, 2017 staff report re: Activity Report (Director, Community & Development Services and Community Development Officer) be noted and received. EDC CARRIED Adjournment Moved by Councillor Hogg Seconded by Chris Lucas That there being no further business this meeting of the Economic Development Coalition be adjourned at 8:24 p.m. EDC CARRIED Councillor Ric Bresee, Chairperson Stephen Paul, Director, Community & Development Services

4 Page 4 of 10 Staff Report to the Economic Development Coalition Prepared by: Subject: Stephen Paul, Director, Community and Development Services Business Retention Program - Exporting Date: June 5, 2017 Preamble: At the April 27, 2017 Economic Development Coalition Meeting a discussion took place regarding concern over how the policies of newly elected President Trump of the United States will impact Canada and in particular Lennox and Addington businesses. The Economic Development Coalition considers exporting an opportunity for our businesses and would like to offer training support. Discussion: Despite significant protectionist noise coming from the United States, Export Development Canada s spring 2017 forecast sees Canadian exports rise six per cent this year twice the pace it predicted just six months ago in its fall forecast. The message that Export Development Canada has communicated is that Canadian companies must focus on exporting and aggressively compete for contracts that foreign businesses may have been frightened away from. Numerous partners are available to assist with a Lennox and Addington exporting initiative. The following are organizations who can help our businesses: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) The BDC has an International Growth Program that offers a complete solution to help businesses expand in the United States and other foreign markets. Export Development Canada (EDC) Export Development Canada provides Canadian exporters with trade financing, export credit insurance and bonding services, as well as foreign market expertise. Canada-Ontario Export Forum The Export Forum will host exporter education workshops. The half-day workshops are ideal for companies who are considering export options.

5 Page 5 of 10 Each of the above organizations provide assistance in the different segments / steps of exporting. The following would be the progression of our exporting initiative: 1. Lennox and Addington will partner with the Canada-Ontario Export Forum to host an exporting workshop in late September. This will be a good opportunity for our businesses to learn more about exporting and determine if they want to expand to foreign markets. 2. For companies who have determined that they would like to investigate foreign markets Lennox and Addington will connect the company with the BDC and their International Growth Program. This program will help the company discover potential, select markets and develop the strategy. 3. Once companies have decided that exporting is achievable Lennox and Addington will connect the company with the EDC who can assist with a range of finance, insurance and bonding solutions. The Economic Development Office will submit an application to the Eastern Ontario Development Program to support an exporting initiative. Funding will support the hosting of the workshop and 50% of all consultancy costs from the BDC and EDC. Financial Impact: The Financial Impact is unknown at this time. Approvals: Larry Keech, Chief Administrative Officer Approved June 6, 2017

6 Page 6 of 10 Staff Report to the Economic Development Coalition Prepared by: Subject: Rob Plumley, Community Development Officer Rural Employment Initiative Date: June 5, 2017 Preamble: At a meeting with the East Central Ontario Training Board, the Economic Development Office learned of an interesting job fair focused on rural employment growth. As a result, Lennox & Addington County attended a Rural Employment Initiative hosted by the Newcomer Centre of Peel on May 30th. Discussion: Lennox & Addington operated a booth and spoke to more than 100 immigrants actively seeking employment outside the Greater Toronto Area in rural Ontario. Participants at the event were: Unemployed, internationally-trained professionals seeking employment who are willing to relocate to a new community in Ontario Skilled Permanent Residents who have a desire to re-enter their professions, but have been forced to do unskilled jobs for a number of years Permanent Residents or Convention Refugees The Rural Employment Initiative connects talented internationally-trained professionals with employment opportunities in rural Ontario. The project helps newcomers find local jobs and residence in rural communities. Through creation of job opportunities, the project facilitates the movement of unemployed talented immigrants from the overburdened Greater Toronto Area to rural economies. The Economic Development Office is following up with these individuals to inform them of entrepreneurship and business start-up opportunities as well as available buildings and businesses for sale in Lennox & Addington County. We will highlight our cost of living advantages compared to the Greater Toronto Area. Approvals: Larry Keech, Chief Administrative Officer Approved June 6, 2017

7 Page 7 of 10 Staff Report to the Economic Development Coalition Prepared by: Subject: Stephen Paul, Director, Community and Development Services Rob Plumley, Community Development Officer Activity Report Date: June 5, 2017 The Great Waterway Attraction Profiles The Great Waterway Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) will be profiling several Lennox & Addington County tourism businesses and attractions this summer. The Community Development Officer met with RTO staff to help coordinate opportunities at the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area as well as L&A s geocaching opportunities. The project involves online promotion through blogging and video. Filming will take place in July. Spring Stargazing Evening at the Dark Sky Viewing Area The first stargazing evening took place at the Dark Sky Viewing Area on May 26 th. The 65 people in attendance were treated to a spectacular display of Aurora Borealis. Several photographers were attending the evening and have shared the photos to our Facebook page. The next events are scheduled for June 23 rd & 24 th, weather permitting. A full schedule of events can be found at Napanee Heritage 5K Race & Kids 1-Miler The Economic Development Office is working with organizers at the 2 nd Annual Napanee Heritage 5K Race & Kids 1-Miler. The event starts and ends at the Lennox & Addington County Museum & Archives on Saturday, June 17 th and takes participants past several heritage buildings in Downtown Napanee. The event is expected to attract 300+ runners from eastern Ontario and beyond. Tourism Bus Tour The Community Development Officer is working with Fun Tours, a bus tour group based in Toronto. They are planning a trip to the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area on July 28 th. Their visit includes dinner at The Waterfront River Pub & Terrace, followed by a laser-guided tour of the night sky with Joe Gilker. There will be participants on the tour.

8 Page 8 of 10 Content Marketing The Economic Development Office has developed a content marketing plan to increase traffic to the website. This will include a monthly newsletter, blog posts, business profiles and infographics. The initiative will kick off in July and will be a consistent marketing approach. Post Card Campaign The Economic Development Office will be sending a post card from Warden Lowry to each business in Lennox and Addington thanking them for their contribution to our community and economy. The card will outline the services we provide for businesses Statistics The following are Economic Development statistics as of June 5, 2017:

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10 Page 10 of 10 Approvals: Larry Keech, Chief Administrative Officer Approved June 6, 2017