There was plenty of recognition on the agenda for Wellington County council’s Oct. 29 meeting.
Economic Development officer Jana Burns reported the county is the 2015 recipient of two awards from Business Retention and Expansion (BRE)International. One award is for program design and the second for economic impact.
The county presented plaques to all seven municipalities, “as their participation was integral in our receiving these awards,” stated Burns in her report.
With 2015 county-wide BRE interviews with downtown businesses underway, county staff are coordinating the process, will participate in interviews and prepare the final reports.
“We are also interviewing foreign owned businesses to build a rapport, enhance their local purchasing where possible, assist in their growth and minimize the risk of their closing,” states the report, which notes Wellington County is the first to create a foreign owned business survey.
“We were recognized for our county coordination of the program, our measurable results, communications, implementation and demonstrating an ability to work corroboratively with our member municipalities, various agencies and partners to execute the program. And these relationships are positively reflected in our continued support of the BRE program,” said Burns.
“It was a good job by all our economic development people in the county,” said Warden George Bridge. “It just shows we’re at the leading edge on economic development.”
It was also announced at the meeting that for the second consecutive year the county is the recipient of an award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its financial reporting.
“Everyone involved with that should be very proud of their accomplishments,” said councillor Dennis Lever, chair of the administration, finance and human resources committee.
