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Representatives of Elgin
County and four other
counties in south central
Ontario have agreed on a
plan to improve the vitality,
sustainability and
diversification of the
regional economy.
If the plan is approved by the councils of the five counties, implementation could begin by mid-2009 with an exciting series of initiatives to stimulate economic growth in
agriculture, the energy and environment industries,
manufacturing, tourism, cultural and quality-of-life projects, and infrastructure.
In fact, the strategic management plan proposed by the
executive committee of SCOR (South Central Ontario
Region) envisions the creation of 15,500 jobs across
the region within five years.
SCOR is a partnership of Elgin, Brant, Middlesex, Oxford and Norfolk counties working together in support of a
regional economic strategy. In January, the partnership
adopted a vision: “In 2020, SCOR has a sustainable,
prosperous and diverse economy driven by innovation.
Our bountiful land, enterprising people and dynamic
communities are the foundation for our success.”
Since then, volunteers and municipal staff have been
working to create a strategic plan with 15 priorities for
action. The plan was approved April 23rd by the executive committee and will now go to County Councils for
ratification.
The plan combines long-range initiatives with
short-term projects designed to respond
immediately to the region’s economic challenges.
It estimates that investment of $760 million from
public sources can be injected into the regional
economy from this year through 2011, with
approximately $700 million going to public
infrastructure. The plan envisions that private
investments will follow and add to that total,
possibly matching it.
The 15 priorities for action are intended to
maintain a supportive business environment
in the region, promote entrepreneurship and
invest in public infrastructure while enhancing
the region’s quality of life and engaging the
community, especially youth, in building its future.
With support from federal and provincial
government programs, a number of new institutions, funding sources and commercial centres are envisioned, including:
- A $50-million SCOR Innovation Fund increasing both public and private pools of investment capital in
the region;
- Two centres of excellence to increase applied research, product development and commercialization
of agricultural offerings and environmental and energy
solutions;
- A virtual centre of excellence to encourage youth
to bring their academic training back to the region
and apply it to creating agricultural and green-energy solutions;
- An Agri-Tourism Showcase in the region at a
high-profile location on a 400 series highway;
- Themed tourism routes linked to value-added services such as guides, overnight accommodation, food
services and shopping.
As a founding member of SCOR, the County of Elgin
will continue to take an active role working with
representatives of the Province of Ontario and the
Government of Canada to develop a long-term economic development diversification strategy for the region, and
to address other priority needs.
For the full recommendations of the SCOR strategic
management plan, please visit www.scorregion.com
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