Teri Devine - Valley Heartland CFDC

1. Teeny Tiny Summit
Big Ideas Panel
Community and Business Engagement that Works
Apr 4, 2019
Calabogie Peaks

2. • BR+E identified
as a priority in
Lanark County
Economic
Development
Strategic Plan
2018-2020

3. How does a BR+E project work?
3
Trained volunteers to conduct confidential
interviews/surveys with local businesses to gather
key market data and address any immediate issues
or opportunities that the business identifies
Data analysis and action planning to identify
priorities for business retention and expansion
Incorporate results into the County’s ongoing
Economic Development Strategy

4. BR+E Project Goals
15 Project
Team
Members
50
Volunteers
95-110
Business
Visits
BR+E Project Status
30+
Project
Partners
75+
Volunteers
126
Business
Visits

5. • Businesses create jobs and invest in the community
• Builds partnerships and relationships (network)
• It’s fun and scalable
Why is Community and Business engagement important?

6. 74% - 90% of new jobs
come from existing
businesses
Majority of new jobs in a community come from existing businesses
and those businesses need to be nurtured and supported
• Business invests in the local economy
• Business is involved in and supports community
groups, events and programs
• Community groups, service providers,
municipalities want to engage with business Community
Groups &
Partners
Business

7. Builds partnerships and
relationships (network)

8. Fun and Scalable
“I really enjoyed the experience and I
must add that I learned a lot through
my participation.”
Business Testimonial
“ It's great to see the enthusiasm and
participation and how many people
care about the growth and success of
our Lanark County businesses”
Volunteer Testimonial
“This has been a very useful learning experience for us and
has really allowed us to connect with our business community
in a deep way. Thank you so much for facilitating this
program and we really look forward to seeing the outcomes.”
Municipal Testimonial

9. • Identify and engage community partners
• Best practices
• Communicate, communicate and
communicate some more!!
Community and Business Engagement – What works?

10. • Identify and engage community partners
Community and Business Engagement – What works?

11. • Best Practices
Community and Business Engagement – What works?
• What are others doing?
• OMAFRA tools and resources
• Economic Developers are a great resource
• Existing content and materials

12. • Communications
Community and Business Engagement – What works?

13. • Develop a strong collaborative network
• Get your community and business needs met
• Utilize volunteers and limited resources more effectively
• Support local business retention and expansion
• Increase community and business engagement
Results of effective community and business
engagement

14. By way of a Service Agreement, Valley Heartland provides economic development services to Lanark County. The collaboration between Valley
Heartland + Lanark County continues to be an effective partnership that leverages the strengths of each partner and is driving economic
development activities county-wide.
Teri Devine
BR+E Coordinator
Valley Heartland CFDC
(o) 613-283-7002 x 111
(c) 613-207-5940
bre@valleycfdc.com
www.valleycfdc.com/bre
For more information please contact
Stacie Lloyd
Regional Economic Development Officer
Valley Heartland CFDC
Tel: 613-283-7002, ext. 106
EcDev@Valleycfdc.com
www.valleycfdc.com