AHED

ALMAGUIN HIGHLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE

DRAFT Meeting Minutes – June 16th, 2016

10 a.m. – 12 noon @ Perry Council Chambers

 

Present: Jessica Busch, WORC; David Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Inc.; Karen Insley Stewart, Cottage Pain Clinic; Carol Armstrong, McMurrich/Monteith; Courtney Rizzo, CDO Kearney/Magnetawan/McMurrich Monteith/Perry; Dave Gray, CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Henning Golle, Business Centre of Nipissing/Parry Sound; Rosalind Hall, Ryerson Township; Carole Mantha, MNDM; Wanda Schamehorn, McMurrich Monteith 125th Anniversary Chair.

  1. Welcome, call to order ~ Dave Gray  10:00 a.m.
    1. Regrets: Emily Ryan, IION; Kimberly Bester, Powassan.
  2. Introductions of attendees
  3. Adoption of Minutes of May 2016 – 1st Courtney Rizzo  2nd Dave Stewart   All in favour.
  4. Business Arising (AHED Business):  

Thank you to the Township of Perry for hosting this month’s AHED meeting.

Karen Insley Stewart asked the group what health services are available locally and where she could refer those that asked – many members suggested calling 211 – an information service that connects users with services and supports.  Rosalind mentioned the Almaguin Highlands Healthcare Committee who are an incorporated group and advocate for health services in our area – to get involved with this committee, contact your local municipal office for more information.

  1. Reports from Community and Resource Partners

 

Rosalind Hall/Ryerson
The Annual Ryerson Yard Sale will be taking place on Saturday June 25th at 28 Midlothian Road from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  There is no cost to setup and participants must bring their own table – please phone 705-382-3232 to reserve a spot.  There will be hotdogs and pop for sale as well.
Armour, Burk’s Falls and Ryerson are currently planning a Volunteer Appreciation BBQ in the fall – more information to come.

      Courtney Rizzo/KPMM
Courtney reported on her ‘Shop Local’ Campaign saying that the initiative is going well but has seen mixed reviews – some businesses reported that the initiative has had a very positive impact while others are not seeing any results – Courtney will be following up with local business owners to facilitate this program and assist.  Courtney briefly touched on the cycling initiative as well – Almaguin In Motion (AIM – check them out on Facebook).  A few municipalities have joined

       Henning Golle/Business Centre of Nipissing Parry Sound
Henning reported that they have had 10 businesses go through their last Entrepreneurship Series – 4 of which pitched for grants and were approved.  Starter Company (for those aged 30 +) has seen a lot of interest in its trial run – Henning reported that the program is currently under review and they are hopeful that it will continue.  Summer Company just launched…
Henning has been busy helping clients with Business Plan Development and reported that the Micro Lending for Women Program launches again in July.  A coaching program is being developed for Parry Sound – this program will be more in depth than the Mentoring Program with more hands on assistance.  This program is already active in North Bay and very successful.

       Karen Insley Stewart/Cottage Pain Clinic
Cottage Pain Clinic is currently being delivered through a PSW at Community Care Access Centre.  Karen discussed FAB16 – it was her first time attending and they have generated business from the festival so she was very pleased.

      Jessica Busch/Women’s Own Resource Centre
Jessica reported that the Annual General Meeting for WORC will be held on Thursday, June 23rd at Chalmers United Church in South River – the AGM will run from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. all are welcome.  June’s R&B meeting will be held at Quiet Bay Lodge in Magnetawan on Wednesday June 29th from 11:30 – 1:30 with Madrie Secord presenting on “Making Your Money Matter”.  Life Skills Training will be running again over the summer – please call the office for more information on this FREE program. Events planned for the summer include WORC’s Annual Fundraising Garage Sale along with the 3rd Annual Women In Business Trade Show – watch your email for more information to come.  For information on any of our programs, resources and services, please call 705-386-9672 or email jessica@womensownresource.org

      Wanda Schamehorn/McMurrich, Monteith 125th Anniv. Chairperson
Wanda discussed preparation plans for the 125th Anniversary Celebrations in McMurrich/Monteith.  The celebration will be more geared towards the history of the town with many events and vendors being available – please see flyer in attachments for more information.  The event will finish with an Adult Dance where Whitmell’s Bus Lines will be offering free rides home door to door in Sprucedale and a drop off at Tim Horton’s in Burk’s Falls.

       Carole Armstrong/McMurrich, Monteith
Carole reported that at the last council meeting the Burk’s Falls Historical Society brought in a birch bound book on the history of Sprucedale.  It was at one point donated to the Midlothian School House whom came across it and decided to pass it along to Sprucedale as the book focused mainly on Sprucedale’s history.  Carole also reported that Wanda Schamehorn will be opening a “Dance-ercise” program beginning in July.

       Carole Mantha/MNDM
Carole discussed how thankful she was for the Chamber of Commerce spearheading the BR&E project.  Over the course of the project, approximately 300 interviews were done.  They are aiming for the final report to come out for mid-July.  Carole also touched briefly on the upcoming FICE (First Impression Community Exchange) set to take place this fall between CAEDA and Mattawa Economic Development Agency.  Carole encouraged the group to get on the Labour Market Group’s mailing list to receive their employment information regarding the area.

       Dave Stewart/Almaguin Highlands Inc.
Dave mentioned that Banner signs were on sale this week at Staples – approximately $100 for Banner and Stand.  Dave reported that they are in the process of upgrading computers to Windows 10 and improving sites response time.  ATV’s and side by sides are now legal in Parry Sound for a one year trial period.  Trail passes are being sold with sales being significantly higher than previous years – trail passes are available for approximately $100 – they are sold around the area.  Volunteers are out on the trails as well, monitoring usage.  Their next goal is to have the Almaguin Highlands Information Centre as a hub for this end of the trails.  MMCAP is creating a slideshow for the 125th Anniversary in McMurrich/Monteith – the slideshow will be played throughout the event and copies will be sold.  Dave briefly discussed ‘Google Beacons’ which is a new app launched by Google – it gives information on what is going on around a person locally.

       Dave Gray/CDO Burk’s Falls, Armour, Ryerson
Dave discussed the upcoming Hunter’s Bay Radio event “Listen to the Radio 2” event which will take place on Saturday June 25th at 7:00 p.m. at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville (37 Main Street).  The Annual General Meeting for Explorer’s Edge will take place on Wednesday June 22nd at Hidden Valley Resort from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Heritage Day will take place on June 23rd at the Watt Farm Heritage Centre – they are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 162nd Battalion therefore the day will focus on this.  Dave briefly touched on the AIM Initiative – if you are interested, contact Dave to join the mailing list – this group goes for weekly rides.  Dave reported that AREA is meeting again monthly – a group consisting of area economic development officers. 

  1. Correspondence: N/A
  2. In-Camera (if required)
  3. Next meeting date: Thursday, September 15th, 2016 @ Location TBA
  4. Meeting Adjourned @ 12:00 p.m.

 

 


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