Thursday, May 21, 2009, 10:00 – 12 noon
Present: Merv Mulligan, McMurrich/Monteith; Gilbert Lane, Ryerson; Brenda Scott, WORC/South River; Stephen Boyle, Chisholm; Jeff Johnston, Kearney; Morley Moore, Whitestone; Jeffrey Dickerson, South River; Gordon Learn, NOGO; Pauline Carmichael; South River Cattle Sales Barn, Catharine Mayne, NECO; Jason Ready, South River Airport; Pierrette Desrochers, OMAFRA; Barb Schmidt, Cornerstone Farm, Lyn Mantha, Ron McLaren, Faithful Acre Farms, Ron Begin, FedNor
Mary Beth Hartill, Almaguin Forester
Regrets: Steve Munro, Westwind Forestry Services; Chetna Sharma, MNDM
1.Welcome
2. Call to order Merv Mulligan, Chair
3. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest NA
6. Adoption of Minutes of April 16, 2009
Moved by: Morley Moore Second by: Jeff Johnston
7. AHED Business
Guest Speaker: Pierrette Desrochers, OMAFRA "Growing Forward"
&Traceability Information Session will be held June 3, 2009, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (lunch included) at the Comfort Inn, Sturgeon Falls. Pre-register by May 27, to ensure your space. To access funding attendance at the free training workshop is mandatory. Funding Option 1 & 2 – up to $20,000, Option 3 – up to $5,000 per facility with a maximum of $20,000 across all 3 options per facility. Pierrette had many information brochures and handouts and these can be picked up at Women's Own Resource Centre and will also be available at the next AHED meeting in June.
Guest Speaker: Jason Ready, South River Sundridge Airport Events Committee. Celebration of Flight – 100 Years of Aviation in Canada. Father's Day Weekend, June 20 & 21st. A full size replica of the Silver Dart will be on display during the entire weekend. Jason presented an excellent power point show of the history of the airport and benefits to local economy. Our airport is the half way point between major southern and northern destinations. Resorts, mining, forestry all have used the airport for their business endeavours. It is the only airport with both float and runway access other than the Toronto Island Airport. Future development of the airport is one of the key economic development initiatives for the region. Further information can be accessed at www.flyalmaguin.com
8.0 Reports from Community and Resource Partners - Quick roundtable due to time constraints following excellent speaker presentations:
8.1 Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Sharma/Marleau
8.2 NECO Mayne
Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Fund: new announcement. 50% forgivable loan, eligible costs include materials, equipment, marketing, etc. Information at email: nohfc.ndm@ontario.ca http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/nohfc/program_northern_entrepreneur_e.asp
8.3 FedNOR Begin
New funding announcements RINC and Community Adjustment Fund. Discovery Routes has submitted their application for approximately $200,000 project and meetings will be held with other funding agencies to further discuss this project. G8 planning and announcements are ongoing.
8.4 Blue Sky Buell
8.5 WORC/South River Scott
Two year provincial funding has been announced for WORC's Rural Outreach Program Endeavour ROPE.
WORC welcomes Dawna Mitchell as Project Assistant. An application to OTF has been made for funding for Outreach Facilitator's for four rural communities.
8.6 Ontario's Near North Ypya
8.7 Township of Chisholm Boyle
Stephen Boyle suggests that we should be following up on the Bike Train concept and how it could apply to our region. as there is a train stop in South River and the SR Train Station is being developed as a destination. He was unable to meet with project coordinator on May 5th when he visited North Bay but would suggest he be invited to an AHED meeting in the future.
8.8 Ryerson, Armour, Burk's Falls Lane
Gib Lane reported that the farmer's market will open in June.
8.9 Municipality of Whitestone Moore
Morley Moore – many projects ongoing, municipal budget saw a 3.8% decrease. New restaurant/bar business has opened on Hwy. 124
8.10 Powassan Economic Development Report
8.11 McMurrich/Monteith Mulligan
The township is applying for an intern to strengthen their office services and community projects.
8.12 Kearney Economic Development Johnston
Jeff Johnston reported that a new clerk has been hired and will be starting next week. Lots of projects underway.
8.13 Central Almaguin Economic Development Assoc.
8.14 Magnetawan Area Business Association Tod
8.15 Westwind Forest Services Munro
8.16 Citizenship & Immigration (Culture Health Promotion) Loiselle
8.17 Almaguin Highlands Inc. Stewart
8.18 Municipality of Magnetawan
8.19 Nipissing Negrinotti
8.20 Almaguin Highlands Council for the Arts - Sohm
Next meeting date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
NOTE: Location: South River Town Office, 68 Marie Street.
Guest Speaker: Jay Aspin, Trade North Ontario
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