WELLINGTON COUNTY – The County of Wellington’s Economic Development Division won the 2023 Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Award for Inclusive Community Based Initiatives and Programming for its ‘Wellington Welcomes’ campaign.
The social media campaign, which was designed to showcase the contributions of newcomers throughout Wellington County, has received widespread acclaim for its authenticity and community support, states a Feb. 9 press release from the county’s economic development department.
Wellington Welcomes focuses on the stories of 12 residents who are members of newcomer and immigrant communities in Wellington County.
Individuals were interviewed and given the opportunity to share what it is like to live and work in Wellington County, including their challenges, successes, insights, and personal recommendations.
“The ‘Wellington Welcomes’ campaign truly embodies the spirit of our communities,” said councillor Jeff Duncan, chair of the county’s economic development committee.
“It highlights the welcoming nature of our towns and townships and showcases the invaluable contributions of newcomers to our local economy and culture. We are very grateful to all our participants for sharing their stories with us. This is truly a community award,” adds Duncan.
“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from EDCO,” commented Anuradha Dam, the economic development project coordinator responsible for the campaign.
“The overwhelming support and engagement we’ve seen for the #WellingtonWelcomes campaign across our social media channels is heartwarming and demonstrates the power of storytelling in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.”
Social media campaign
The Wellington Welcomes’ campaign, funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, reached over 54,000 users across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, garnering over 12,000 engagements and dozens of supportive comments, the press release states.
Ridewell service accolades
During the 2023 EDCO Awards, the County of Wellington’s Ride Well Rural Transit service was also recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Innovation in Community Resiliency category.
