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Group’s economic vision built on education

BY Nicole Million December 21, 2009 14:12

PENETANGUISHENE – The recent downturn and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the area have a local group seeking new and innovative ways to improve economic prospects in the area.
Doug Ewen, a member of the Economic Development Association of North Simcoe (EDANS), urged Penetanguishene council on Dec. 9 to consider a partnership with local municipalities to improve the area’s economic growth.
“Over-reliance on manufacturers for future jobs and a healthy tax base cannot be the primary economic strategy,” he said. “A decline in manufacturing (jobs) is a reality we have to face. We can’t rely on it for a healthy economy.”
EDANS was formed out of concern about the future economic development of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay and Tiny. Ewen told council the group has put together a vision of what the four municipalities can become.
“We have an embarrassment of riches with Georgian Bay; we have an embarrassment of riches with tourism,” he said, adding the group’s goal is to advance a strategy that injects new money into the economy.
“The strategy will most likely encourage job creation, allowing our younger residents to stay in the area and attract others to the area,” he said, noting there is currently a below-average education level in the four local communities.
“To be prepared for tomorrow’s jobs, (this area) must improve its educational outcomes while seeking to attract knowledge-based jobs and workers.”
Ewen suggested looking to communities such as Kitchener-Waterloo and learning from what they’ve done.
“These communities are seeing education as that seed, and they are nurturing it,” he said. “We can’t be Waterloo with the university or Orillia with Lakehead University, but we can do something with Georgian College.
“We have that seed sitting right here in the middle of our community … and out of that seed germinates a new economy. If we look to work with Georgian College and clear the path for that, we can attract those trades and businesses that surround it.”
Ewen acknowledged there are a number of realities the group – and the four municipalities – must confront before they can be successful, but he is confident it can be done.
“There’s a bit of a feeling to stick with the status quo … but sticking with the status quo will mean disaster,” he said. “If we don’t take action, we are going to run into problems.”
Ewen said a solid, long-term vision with practical steps that can be achieved is the first step on the path to a reinvigorated local economy. However, that can’t be done without investments from all four municipalities, he added.
“We need a top-notch economic development officer who can deal with all levels,” he said. “You have to restructure, you have to reallocate and you have to reinvest in a new reality. If you generate tax dollars through the development of education and the businesses that surround that, all the things that we all enjoy, like trails, etc., will come from that healthy tax base.”
Mayor Anita Dubeau acknowledged the plan appears to be a good one.
“I don’t think we’re sitting idle. Maybe we’re not moving forward as fast as some people want us to, but, hopefully in the New Year, we can start to embrace some of these things.”

nmillion@simcoe.com

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