DRAYTON – Mapleton council has approved a staff recommendation to appoint an economic development coordinator to work in conjunction with the Town of Minto’s economic development team under a memorandum of understanding between the two municipalities.
A report from Mapleton CAO Manny Baron presented at the Aug. 11 township council meeting notes that since mid-2019, Mapleton, Wellington North and Minto have been discussing ways to enhance delivery of economic delivery services. The three northern Wellington County municipalities have been holding joint economic development meetings several times a year since 2012.
“As we know, Minto has a very successful and experienced economic development team and we would like to learn from them and leverage them to seek best practices. Our township has been delivering some services, but we are ready to take economic development to the next level and we feel this partnership will help us do just that,” the report states.
The report explains that Mapleton executive assistant Aly Cripps took over some the economic development activities after the previous coordinator left the township last year.
“She has been doing a tremendous job given the limited time dedicated to the activities,” stated Baron in the report.
“There would be a financial impact of $3,000 for the change in the organizational structure. Also, if needed, the recovery cost for Minto is $68.40 per hour,” the report notes.
Mayor Gregg Davidson asked for clarification that the intent is “that we would have full time economic development person once again?”
“Our economic development person (Cripps) would be fully into economic development,” said Baron.
Councillor Michael Martin said he struggled with the staffing element of the plan.
“While I think this is an opportunity for Aly… we seem to be pillaging the rest of our staff. Do we have the capacity?” Martin asked.
“Yes. We absolutely do have it in our budget,” said Baron, noting Cripps’ position as executive assistant would not be replaced.
“Some of us have to give us certain things to make sure that Mapleton is better off,” the CAO added.
Council approved Baron’s report and authorized the signing of the MOU, “to have Minto provide consulting services to assist with delivering superior economic development services to Mapleton and to work closely in an enhanced partnership agreement.”
Minto council, at its Aug. 11 meeting in Clifford also approved the memorandum of understanding with Mapleton.
A report presented at that meeting by Minto business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham explained that in January both councils, along with Wellington North council had given direction to staff to proceed with an MOU for an “Enhanced Partnership – Northern Wellington Economic Development” agreement.
“Covid-19 has turned our worlds upside down, and many of the priority projects we had put forth in January, although all are great projects, are not priority projects at this current time. Therefore, for the time being, we are moving away from an “Enhanced Partnership for Northern Wellington Economic Development” to an economic development consulting service for Mapleton,” Wick-Graham explained in the report.
Minto councillor Judy Dirksen said she feels the smaller-scale agreement is a good way to start.
“This has got success written all over it, without a doubt, in my mind,” she stated.
