HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-11-95 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee Fi1e#
Date: Monday, April 3, 1995 Res• C Pel
By-Law#
Report#: ADMf -- Me #:
Subject:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY UPDATE
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report ADMIN-11-95 be received for information.
1. PURPOSE
1.1 This report summarizes the activities of the Economic Development Office for the
period February 1 - March 3, 1995.
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2. ACTIVITY UPDATE
2.1 Information Requests
A total of thirty-two requests for information were serviced by the office during this
period. Requests for development information from existing businesses and the general public
represented the majority of requests (14). Ten requests for information about starting a new
business and eight requests for commercial & industrial space information were also serviced j
during this period.
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Report ADMIN-11-95 Page 2
2.2 Community/Government Liaison
Twenty opportunities for community and government agency liaison occurred in
February. Meetings were held with representatives of the Clarington Business Group; the
Economic Development Liaison Team; and Bowmanville BIA. As well, the Economic
Development Officer attended the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and
delivered speeches to the Visual Arts Centre Board and the Lions Club of Newcastle.
Nine visitations were made to Industrial, Commercial or Tourism businesses. Visitations
occur on a regular basis in order to gather information of importance to the business
community and to outline the services of the office. Visitations during this period were made
to DUCA Credit Union; Dy-Tech; Massey House; ADD-vantage; Print-ziples; The Army
Surplus Store; Sit & Sip Donuts; the Courtice Dental Centre; and Welcome House.
Staff of the Economic Development Office have attended Planning Department meetings
preparing for the "Crombie Walk" on the Waterfront Trail to occur later this Spring. As well,
the Economic Development Officer has attended meetings of the Steering Committee for the
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Greater Toronto Area Economic Development Partnership.
Two meetings were attended in preparation for the Society of Automotive Engineers
Congress, which occurred February 27 - March 2, in Detroit. The Economic Development
Officer attended this trade show with thirteen other GTA municipalities. Together, the group
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attracted eighty-eight leads which are currently being pursued by the office.
The Economic Development Office also hosted a meeting of Regional Economic
Development Officers and met with representatives of the Ontario Skills Development Office.
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Report ADMIN-11-95 Page 3
2.3 Advertising/Media Liaison
A total of eight articles highlighting the activities of the economic development office
appeared in February. Local papers covered stories on January's activity report and the
awarding of our Excellence awards from the provincial economic development council. One
article appeared in the Toronto Star Home Section highlighting the lifestyle benefits of living
in Clarington.
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2.4 Known New Businesses
The economic development office became aware of two new businesses during this
period. BKR Robinson Innovations Inc. and Courtice Truck & Trailer both operate from the
Courtice area of Clarington.
2.5 Other
Council should also be aware of five other activities of importance. On February 15 and
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16, the Economic Development Officer participated in the New Exporters to Border States
mission (NEBS). This program, sponsored by the Ontario Investment and Trade Corporation
and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade provided information and
contacts to assist new exporters into the United States. In addition to information on policies,
procedures and contacts, a tour of U.S. Customs and a trading house at Buffalo was also part
of the program. Information collected will be used to assist Clarington businesses in the
development of new markets.
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Report ADMIN-11-95 Page 4
Two planning meetings for an upcoming Purchasing Tradeshow for the business
community were attended. Sponsored by the Purchasing and Economic Development Offices
of Clarington and Oshawa in conjunction with the Oshawa & District Chamber of Commerce,
this event is designed to assist businesses to understand the purchasing process. The event will
also give businesses an opportunity to meet with purchasing officials and to make a
presentation to them about their company or products. The event may also include participation
from other local public sector agencies and is scheduled for September 28, 1995.
The Economic Development Offices of Clarington, Whitby and Oshawa are also
working together on two other seminars. A seminar on R & D Tax Credits, sponsored with the
Durham Region Manufacturers Association is scheduled for April 6th. A seminar on small
business banking is being co-sponsored with the Canadian Bankers' Association. This seminar
will occur May 25th.
Another event of note is being sponsored by Durham Region's Economic Development
Department. A mission of seventeen businesses from the Dorset region of Britain will be
visiting Durham on May 16th. Clarington's Economic Development Office has distributed a
profile of the visiting businesses to local firms operating in the same industries. It is hoped that
joint ventures between companies in both countries will occur. Council will be kept abreast of
details as the visitation agenda is confirmed.
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3. SUMMARY
A summary of the month's activities is charted below. Further information concerning
this report is available by contacting the Economic Development Officer.
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Report ADMIN-11-95 Page 5
Activity Frequency
Commercial/Industrial Space Requests: g
Business Formation Requests: 10
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Business Information/Public Requests: 14
Community/Business Group Meetings: 6
Industrial Tours/Visits: 1
Commercial/Tourism Visits: g
Government Consultations:
5 �
Media Liaison/Mentions: g
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4. RECOMMENDATIONS
That Report ADMIN-11-95 be received for information.
Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by,
Todd Letts, M.B.A. ' W. H. Stockwell
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Economic Development Officer Chief Administrative Officer
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