Residents of Wellington County seem to have “a deep connection” to the area and generally stay for a long time.
That was the message Jana Reichert brought to Guelph-Eramosa council recently.
“We’re not a transient community. People are staying here and enjoying it,” said Reichert, the economic development officer for the Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures Development Corporation.
As part of a delegation of Wellington County officials, Reichert outlined the findings of a business survey and also explained some of the basic details about the county’s economy.
She told council the quality of life in the county is very high; household incomes are higher than the provincial average and are increasing.
The county boasts a workforce of about 54,000 people and for many, working within Wellington is “a way of life,” Reichert said.
The top concerns identified in the survey by county businesses include: access to local skilled labour, high taxes and rising operating costs (for example, energy bills).
Overall, the local economy is doing well, Reichert said, but officials can’t underestimate the possible impact the “crisis of confidence” in the U.S. could have locally.
Mayor Chris White thanked Reichert for the presentation and then introduced county chief administrative officer Scott Wilson. White, who is also county warden, said he has asked the county department heads to visit each lower tier municipality to introduce themselves because the upper and lower tiers “don’t cross paths enough.”
Wilson introduced the employees from the county, which he called “literally, a cradle to the grave operation.” He also offered any help to Guelph-Eramosa officials and said, “It’s been a pleasure dealing with each and every one of you.”
Township councillors thanked the county delegation for coming.
“It’s good to put a face to the names,” said councillor Corey Woods.
