204A - Bringing Innovation and Economic Resiliency to "the Folk"

October 06, 2021

11:30AM - 12:00PM

Imagine within several months transforming multiple geographically spread-out communities in a predominately agricultural (the heart of Ontario's garden) and tourist (Ontario's South Coast) area into the location of a digital marketplace (think local "Amazon"), digital services squad main street action, a new entrepreneurship ecosystem, a destination marketing app, high-speed internet and rural telecommunication partnerships, shop local video campaigns, patio approvals within hours during COVID, development efficiencies and stimulus funding for arts/culture, multiple downtowns, and agricultural innovation. That is the tip of the iceberg (lettuce) of what is happening in Norfolk County!
 
With just two economic development staff and the help of a diverse taskforce of business and community representives, we have crafted a targetted and innovative economic recovery plan aimed at long-term resiliency and are taking action on BUY Norfolk, BUILD Norfolk, INNOVATE Norfolk, and RECOVER Norfolk. With an initial approved council strategic fund of $250,000 to be leveraged with other partners and programs, the economic prospects are bright despite the hardships of the pandemic.
 
If you are trying to find efficient and effective ways to move economic and community-building resiliency forward or if you are operating on a shoestring budget or find your operations "stuck in the old ways," let us share how we quickly pivoted and charted a new path forward with the Norfolk County Economic Recovery Plan.
 

Speakers