Perth County • Cultivating Opportunity • Reports

Reports

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Economic Development Strategic Plan 2010

The County of Perth, in partnership with the City of Stratford, the Town of St. Marys, the Perth CFDC, and the Technical Training Group have partnered to develop a united strategy to lead our communities through a challenging economic slowdown. Our economies are intertwined and efforts must be aligned to develop a plan that will prepare all of our communities by identifying gaps, building capacity and discovering new opportunities. Each community has strengths that need to be leveraged to define their roles in the new economy and this strategy will be key to position Perth County, Stratford and St. Marys for success.

We are looking beyond our traditional industrial landscape to identify ways to diversify our economies and explore new sectors employing new technologies. The role of post secondary education, centres of excellence, and technology will play a strong role in the growth of our communities and we must align our human capital with the needs of a knowledge based economy.

Labour Market Analysis 2010

In 2010, the County of Perth, set out to investigate the following, in regards to our Labour Market

To gather existing primary and secondary labour market data, from a variety of public, private, provincial and federal sources.
To identify new and existing labour market data from a variety of primary and secondary sources (public, private, provincial and federal).
To identify regional and municipal declining, growing, and potential future industries as areas of focus
To identify Labour Market/Employee Skill characteristics of the existing workforce, of recently displaced workers, and of the emerging workforce
To identify a strategy to transition the existing workforce, displaced workers, and the emerging workforce into existing and future employment opportunities
To Identify and address immediate business concerns by sector, and by geography

Retail Gap Analysis 2009

As a part of the Perth County 3-year Rural Economic Development (RED) project, it was identified that the County would conduct a Retail Gap Analysis study, which would identify the Products, Services and Businesses that should be recruited to our communities.

A Retail Gap Analysis is a technique used to identify the strengths and weaknesses in a local retail market. The analysis identifies key retail issues and concerns, as well as identifying the trends, needs, and wants of consumers. All members of a community have money to spend. Every household is a consumer of retail products as they purchase food, clothing, and other everyday items. If consumers spend in the local community, the economic benefits associated with retail spending, will also remain. Local dollars re-circulate within the local economy, leading to the "multiplier effect".

BR+E Report 2008

In 2008, the County of Perth conducted a Business Retention + Expansion study.

The Government of Ontario places a high value on rural Ontario and its contribution to our quality of life. Perth County received Provincial Grant dollars from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to undertake a Business Retention and Expansion Project of the Retail and Manufacturing sectors in Perth County.

In addition to financial support, other resources from the Rural Economic Development Program at OMAFRA, enabled Perth County, together with its member municipalities, to focus on identifying challenges facing existing businesses and mitigating potential business defections.

The process recognizes that existing businesses sustain the local economy; those who live and work in a community know best its unique characteristics, its strengths and its potential. The most successful economic development initiatives are conceived and implemented from the local experts. This is what makes the BR+E program such a success.

Our program team worked with many volunteers who dedicated thousands of hours conducting interviews with local businesses. We have gained valuable feedback which will be used by the local Councils to implement changes, promote cooperation, and develop partnerships with our business community.

In addition to the Province of Ontario, we thank our funding partners, the Townships of Perth East, Perth South, Municipality of West Perth, the Municipality of North Perth and the Perth County Community Futures Corporation. Many thanks also, to the municipal staff for their assistance and for the use of their local resources.

Contact Us

Inquiries for Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Development, please contact:

Perth County Economic Development

Phone: 519-276-3454
Email: ecdev@perthcounty.ca