Erin council unanimously approved Momentum, the town’s 2015 to 2018 Economic Development Action Plan, at a council meeting on Nov. 3.
The Erin economic development committee (EEDC) received 18 comments after presenting the draft plan at council on Aug. 3.
Initially the EEDC consulted four focus groups in July centred around agriculture and the equine industry, tourism, downtown revitalization and business investment attraction.
The EEDC also reviewed 230 comments and suggestions that assisted in the development of the final plan.
Primary goals of the plan include:
– supporting the retention, growth and expansion of existing business;
– balancing growth in industrial, commercial and residential development;
– building a positive business climate;
– working cooperatively and strengthen links with all partners at all levels;
– establishing Erin as a premier location for equine enthusiasts;
– promoting and marketing Erin as a four-seasons tourism destination; and
– developing a sustainable economy.
Economic development coordinator Bob Cheetham presented the final plan with 51 action items to be addressed over the next few years.
“It’s an exciting time for economic development in the Town of Erin,” said Cheetham.
“The community is on the threshold – when I use threshold I mean once some decisions are made – of growth in housing and is considering key investments for improving municipal infrastructure and services.”
Action items
Some of the action items include the development of a crosswalk in the Village of Erin, investigating the potential of extending business store hours in the community, developing a four-season attraction strategy, undertaking an “open for business” marketing and promotional campaign, exploring the potential for attracting a post-secondary educational facility, establishing an Erin equine marketing alliance, and investigating opportunities for an additional transfer station, recycling program and composting facility.
The plan also addresses the completion of the wastewater environmental assessment process.
Cheetham said economic development does not have any authority over the wastewater EA, but “without it your economic development committee and your EDO are very restricted in terms of what we can do moving forward.”
Council voted unanimously to adopt the plan.
