Almaguin Highlands Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 20th, 2013
10 a.m. – 12 noon @ Magnetawan Community Centre
Present: Chantal Perron MacIntosh, WORC; John Santarossa, EDO Magnetawan; Merv Mulligan, McMurrich/Monteith; David Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Inc.; Jeff Johnston, KPABA; Carly Hughes, Business Centre of Nipissing/Parry Sound; Rosalind Hall, Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Dave Gray, CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Laura McNeice, EDO CAEDA; Carole Mantha, MNDM; Karen Insley Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Inc.: Sean Marsh, Local Business Owner; Valerie Fieldwebster, MWLT
Valerie Fieldwebster from the Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust presented –
There are water sheds all around us for example - North Bay/Mattawa Conservation, Magnetawan River Watershed Association, Property/Cottage Owners Association, Lake Partners program to name a few.
Our VISION is to bring these people together so that we can have a bigger impact.
“We” being a group of 13 people who got together and received charitable status. This is a community based group brought together to protect significant land for benefit of the community through land acquisition, easement acquisition and land stewardship; will help development & should cost less to build. The land must have significant ecological value and there is specific set of criteria to follow, some of which are listed on page 5 of the presentation; there are 3 planning boards within our watershed; we hope to support each other in order to validate what is on the land because it is difficult to see from the air.
Old Man’s Creek, Ahmic Lake - MNR, MOE & Species @ risk would like to get $$$ to make a map to join the Forgotten Trails – this is a Blue Sky Geo-mapping Project.
Valerie told us that someone is giving land to Land trust on Eagle Lake, South River; would like this land to be public to possibly create local jobs; could use AHSS students to study & do testing year after year; water study equipment would be available…University of Waterloo, Huntsville campus already does this.
They do accept donations in kind because of charitable status.
The District of Parry Sound Municipal Association Meetings held in Spring and Fall, Fall will be held on West side; planning a one-day conference, any suggestions?
Valerie also mentioned Crowd Around Muskoka Parry Sound – An Initiative of Transitions Huntsville; this is a crowd funding initiative ie- Kickstart…essentially you go to the website, put up your initiative (amount of $$ needed & what they are for) and people can donate what they choose, could be small or large amount…it’s their choice. Please visit: www.crowdaroundmuskokaparrysound.ca
*Please find a copy of Valerie’s presentation attached to this month’s minutes.
Dave Gray/CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson
Dave Started on the lighter side of things today and filled us in on upcoming events starting with the Ryerson 20th Annual Community Yard sale coming up on Saturday from 8am – 12pm @ the township office building on Midlothian Rd. Locals bring stuff to sell, every man for himself…there’ll be FREE hotdogs & pop provided by the municipality. Also, on Canada weekend Burk’s Falls will be holding the Buck’n’Rodeo…more details available on The Community of Burk’s Falls, Armour & Ryerson’s Facebook page or Chamber of Commerce website.
Dave mentioned that Jessica does a great job sending out emails to everyone, but she also blind copies everybody therefore Dave does not have full email list, Dave asked Chantal of WORC if it was possible to have our email list. Confidentiality should not be a problem as the group shares email addresses openly to everybody. Could Chantal send minutes out with everyone’s email visible so that everyone has it…everyone agreed except that we should be aware that Rosalind is on dial-up & cannot receive emails that have too much information.
Dave also reported on the Almaguin Highlands Initiative has had a minor setback, current tactics aren’t working & need to change; working on a better platform for communities; good initiatives through local tourist operators but don’t announce until plans are finalized…2 steps forward, 3 steps back.
There is a template for Farmer’s Market Directory, need more vendors. Need markets on Sun., Mon. & Thurs.
Rosalind Hall/Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson
Rosalind helped Dave out with the details of the Community Yard Sale happening on Sat. July 1st @ 8am in Ryerson.
Rosalind told us that she took a boat tour of the Magnetawan River and has a dream of protecting steamships etc. They’d like to preserve old sites/landings and identifying them. Randy Mitzen from Explorer’s Edge came & took pictures that will be available on Flicker.
Rosalind also suggested that we all read John Michels dissertation, very interesting and informative.
John Santarossa/EDO Magnetawan
John distributed copies of the 2013 Magnetawan & Area Business Association (MABA) directory.
Magnetawan’s newest business – Magnetawan Grill and Grocery - is now open for business. The front is the general store and the back is a restaurant
The Economic Development Office held two successful workshops in early June - one on Community Energy and one on Social Media Marketing.
John also said they are close to finishing the municipal energy audit which is due July 1st, 2013.
John request that AHED promote “Lorussopalooza - Magnetawan’s Music Festival” on Aug. 23-24.
David Stewart/Almaguin Highlands Inc.
Dave informed the group that all of the AHED minutes are up to date on his website, along with links. Dave informed us of a Kayaking/Canoeing event being held on Aug. 10th to raise funds for a new building for Fairview nursing home, please see his website for more details.
Dave also stated that he very much agrees that John Michels dissertation contains valuable information. Suggested to have a meeting to discuss conclusion; where do we go from here? Is there a strategy in place to discuss his dissertation?
As per group discussion, it has been stated that we should send a thank you letter to John for sharing his findings with us, perhaps @ Showcase Almaguin. There was a motion by Dave Gray to invite John Michels in person or via web conference and was 2nd by Karen Stewart.
We will draft a letter roughly stating thanks for the wonderful work that he has done. We would like to pursue further opportunities to follow through on his material. In corporation with the AHED committee, we would like for him to participate via teleconference or in person. We would like him to please attend the next Showcase Almaguin, what are your views? (Jessica will find the perfect words to fill in the letter…)
Chantal Perron MacIntosh/Women’s Own Resource Centre
The next Almaguin Women’s Resource & Business Network meeting will be held at Tanners Inn & Dining in Magnetawan with guest speaker Cheryl Hill a.k.a. Tandera Riel on the topic of empowering yourself through the science of numerology. A light and entertaining luncheon until we return in September. We have discussed the possibility of a summer luncheon to try to attract a different group of people…possibly cottagers and/or seasonal visitors…possibly @ a golf course? Any suggestions, please let me know.
Carole Mantha/MNDM
Carole informed us that Siobhan O’Leary is the local contact; there was a successful meeting to set strategic approach to submit application to celebrate ON; this will benefit all events.
Laura McNeice/CAEDA
Laura reported that there are many activities planned for Canada Day festivities on June 29th; 4pm – Ribbon cutting for new playground @ Narrows in South River. On-line auction for “ Splash for Stacey” raised $16,000…they’re now 1/3 of the way to their goal of $150,000. If they make the list of 20 finalists in the KRAFT TSN Celebration Tour, there will be 24 hour time slot to vote as many times as you can. The Labour Market Group and CAEDA had a successful Business BBQ… business’ donated prizes & Lions provided food.
Looking for ways to encourage people to go to farmer’s markets, there will be a press release to tie in to the farmer’s markets to reach out to people to take part.
The Sundridge Sunflower festival will be held on August 10th and Triathlon on the 11th, should be a great weekend. Please contact Laura for more information.
Carly Hughes/Business Centre of Nipissing and Parry Sound
There were 5 students from Parry Sound district high schools that were successful in the FEDNOR business plan challenge, there’s 4 judges, Mayor of North Bay being one of them; the awards have been reformatted, a Parry Sound student won most valuable business plan.
Grand Opening of Bauwerk 3D Printing in Parry Sound June 21 from 2-6pm. Ontario Youth Business and Heritage Fund helped Martin Jenkins get this business off the ground. Business professionals from around the area went to a meeting to get explanations and ideas of the type of things that can be done with a 3D printer. David Stewart added that 3D printing is not as costly as it was, you can get a machine for $350 now.
Rosalind asked if there were any initiatives to open some adult learning centres in the area…Carly will look into this.
Merv Mulligan/McMurrich Monteith
July 6th – Baseball tournament to begin @ 9am in Sprucedale.
Community Yard Sale & Craft Show from 9-2 @ Community Centre. The cost is $10/table or $10 per vehicle to sell your things on.
Saturday, August 10th – Summer Spectacular. Merv also added that the BBQ will be hosting the Northern Lites steel orchestra with 28-30 instruments).
Community Access offering basic computer class…
Wednesday, July 10th – Open house @ fire hall to display new pumper; overhead ventilation & compressor is up and running at the community centre .
Sean Marsh/Heating & Air Conditioning – Kearney
Sean was here to see what these meetings consist of. His business is in the KPABA directory and stated that he’s currently focusing on household services and will expand as necessary.
Jeff Johnston/KPABA
Jeff brought in Kearney’s new 2013 KPABA directory modelled from MABA’s directory, some for everyone!
August 3rd, 4th & 5th – Kearney Regatta is being run by KPABA rather than the Municipality…Street Dance will be held @ The Lions Park Pavilion which has a license capacity of 450 people.
The Regatta will feature the Northern Lites steel orchestra & the best fireworks North of the GTA/dunk tank/water sports etc. celebrating 125yrs for the Township of Perry. Lions will also be holding Lobster fest with 50% of the contributions going to ____________.
Legion will also be holding a Hawaiian dance, there will be designated drivers available…Chantal suggested bus service that is used in Astorville for community events, less drivers needed & more people can ride at the same time.
If anyone has any events or information they would like added to the KPABA monthly newsletter, please feel free to contact Jeff.
The Willy Wonka show @ Evergreen Heights sold out both performances and proceeds will go toward student trips. While @ the show, Jeff was informed that the position of school librarian has been eliminated; see press release – Near North District School Board. The reading development of children with development issues is in jeopardy; this is being seen as degradation of our school system, Jeff is hoping that if you feel it to be worthwhile, please support the protest.
Note: There was a meeting with dog sled committee, regatta committee & the municipality to pursue funding for tents & staging facilities which could be shared with other events or festivities. Funding deadline of March 31st will not make the equipment available for Dog sled event in Feb. but will be available for Regatta and could possibly be shared amongst other municipalities.
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