We are a citizen group dedicated to North Kawartha’s economic development.
We provide:
🔸A public forum to identify issues,
🔸A creative membership to develop solutions,
🔸and Community influence to make them happen
What is Economic Development?
Economic Development is the process of…….fostering an environment …..that results in the creation of wealth and well-being…… for the benefit of the community.
Our community is North Kawartha, one of 8 Townships in Peterborough County. We are ‘cottage-country’, with eight large lakes, access to the Trent-Severn system, and two Provincial Parks. Apsley is a full-service village, along with several other shopping areas. 80% of the Township residences are seasonal, with a strong year-round community that is growing each year.
Our strengths are the natural environment, our infrastructure (School/daycare, community centres, Arena, Libraries, Medical Centre), full-range retail businesses, a strong arts culture and many volunteer organizations. Our Challenges are to improve Internet capacity and coverage, increase affordable housing and labour force training, and building support for business and residential development.
Our Economy can be seen as a bucket, with money coming into and leaving our Community.
To grow our Economy we can Bring In More Money, by encouraging visitors to spend more, people to move here, and new businesses to form.
And, to grow our Economy, we can Plug The Leaks, with ‘Buy Local’ programs, retain/expand existing businesses, and facilitate local development.
Our Economy is largely based on our cottagers. Award-winning design/build contractors who renovate and construct vacation properties. Landscaping contractors who provide access and beauty to our properties. A full service building material supplier has all kinds of home improvement products. Marinas bring services to our lakes and provide marine vehicles and service. Grocery and liquor retailers operate year-round, and staff up for summer. Many artisans make original artwork and are the Studio Tour. Many businesses provide restaurant meals, automotive and appliance repair, beauty care, golf, and real estate sales.
Where to start in Economic Development depends on how ready the community is and what has been done so far.
Investment Attraction requires the most preparation, spending, and lead-time. By definition, it takes the longest to return its investment.
Business Retention and Expansion is less expensive and returns its investment more quickly.
The Community Development base of this triangle is the lowest cost and provides the highest return on investment.
Community Development is where the process of Economic Development began in North Kawartha.
In early 2000’s Council and citizen groups rebuilt the medical centre and recruited a Nurse Practitioner. Another citizen group built planters, helped start public markets, and made delegations to Council to increase awareness of economic development.
Beginning in 2005, NK Council rebuilt almost all Township infrastructure using Federal, Provincial and Municipal funding.
This included the NKCC arena/Community Centre, Fire Halls, Libraries, Roads garage, and Township Office.
At the same time, the Public School was rebuilt and, with Council support, full Day Care facilities
In 2010 NK Council sponsored First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE), which showed the benefits of consistent signage, hanging baskets/banners on Burleigh St, and developing a business directory. Council instituted those as municipal operations, with the Library developing the directory and also making internet wifi publicly available.
In 2019, NK Council implemented a Community Improvement Plan with $20,000 1st year funding to support business improvements.
In 2019, The Economic Development Cooperative of North Kawartha was formed by local citizens interested in pursuing Community Economic Development initiatives. Possible activities include community needs survey, Economic Development training, newcomer attraction, residential development, and Strategic Plan input.
Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) requires a more sophisticated approach, with increasing community resources. The addition of dedicated resouces (eg Rural Economic Development Officer) signals strong emphasis to build on progress already made.
An important step is to conduct a business survey to update status, and determine what businesses need. Other possible activities include business recognition and support, labour force development, Job Fairs, mentorship and business counselling, and business incubators.
Investment Attraction involves broader programs and up-front investments. This can include land use planning to facilitate business attraction, site certification, cutting red tape, regional economic development activites, Community Profile, and trade shows.
Missions & Accomplishments
Our Missions
1. Provide an open Forum for residents and businesses to exchange/develop ideas for community economic development.
2. Liaise closely with North Kawartha Council to recommend specific economic development initiatives.
3. Undertake initiatives to raise public awareness and participation.
Our Accomplishments
1. Recognition by North Kawartha Council and appointment of a Council Liaison
2. Constitution and Bylaws – Executive members elected
3. Community Survey to determine elements which would encourage new residents to move here and existing residents to use more local services
4. Internet/Cell Survey and lobbied NK Council and Peterborough County for upgraded internet/cell
5. North Kawartha named 1 of 7 Ontario communities to receive enhanced internet services – Bell Wireless To The Home (WTTH)
6. Monthly meetings at Legion since Feb 2019 and then Zoom meetings during COVID period
Current Projects
Our primary role is to provide an open forum for ideas from anyone and to develop them into viable projects. Based on the level of support at that monthly meeting, a Director takes responsibility for developing a particular idea and presenting it to the regular meeting for further action. These projects are active:
Economic Development Officer (EDO)
Recommendation to 2020 Council budget to add contract EDO Position 2 yr contract to begin May 2020
Position approved for 2 yr contract to begin May 2020
Support EDO to facilitate development, business surveys, job fair, Economic Development Strategic Plan
Affordable and Rental Housing
Insufficient short-tern housing for seasonal labour and new arrivals
Secondary Dwelling Units permitted in rural and hamlet zone
Provisions for multi-unit residential buildings need emphasis / updating
Develop EDC Website
Provide Economic Development Information
Update the community on project status
Provide for membership and access to EDC Facebook site
Facilitate Snowmobile Access to Apsley Businesses
Develop snowmobile routes in conjunction with Township Roads Department
Work with local businesses to promote access via snowmobile clubs
Develop Business Sector program
Liaise with local business websites
Get EDC membership in Chamber of Commerce
Develop business specific promotions
Develop Contractor Sector Program
Develop survey of local contractors & effect of COVID
Plan for Contractor Day late Fall ’20
EDC Executive Members
Chair – Barry Rand – 11 years on NK Council, Chair Glen Alda Seniors
Vice-Chair – Gillian James- Nut-Free Gourmet and Apsley Auctions
Treasurer – RuthAnne McIlmoyl – financial professional and long term resident
Director – Ian Church – Owner of Haultain Service and Stoney Lake Snowriders Chair
Director – Doug Hutton – previous role as Deputy Mayor NK Council, many volunteer positions
Director – Sarah Robertson – Jack Lake Film Festival Director, Former JLA (Jack Lake Association) President, Independent School Manager
Director – Paul Tucker – Apsley Dog Sled Races organizer and long-time Lions member
Director-Alan Bird – Current CLPOA (Chandos Lake Property Owners Association) President and long time seasonal resident
Director- Alan Leun- Principal of Toronto Architectural and Interior Design Company- Residential and Boutique Commercial
Director-Doug Wellman- President North Kawartha Lakes Association (NORKLA) & President Anstruther Lake Cottagers’ Association
ACTION ITEMS! Useful Contacts & Links
North Kawartha Business Development
- NK Planning and Development information
- North Kawartha Economic Development Plan
- North Kawartha Strategic Plan
Peterborough & Kawarthas Economic Development
- Support for Business Entrepreneurs
- FREE ! Consultations, Tools, Resources for YOUR Business
- Information on Peterborough & the Kawarthas that you can USE
- Up-to-Date Government grant Information
- How to GROW your business
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
- PROMOTE your business
- Network and meet valuable contacts
- Savings on Insurance and other business needs
- Increase the number of customers through Business Credibility
North Kawartha Township
- Tax and Building requirements
- Sewage System & Building Permits
- Zoning and Bylaws
- North Kawartha Attractions
North Kawartha Business Directory
- A Complete guide to the Businesses and Services in North Kawartha
- FREE to all residents and cottagers throughout North Kawartha
- Updated yearly ! A trusted reference for over 10 years
- Should YOUR BUSINESS be listed ?
