AHED

ALMAGUIN HIGHLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE

Minutes of meeting

 

Almaguin Highlands Economic Development Committee (AHED)

 

DRAFT Meeting Minutes – November 21st, 2013

 

10 a.m. – 12 noon @ South River Village Office

 

Present: Jessica Busch, WORC; John Santarossa, EDO Magnetawan; Merv Mulligan, McMurrich/Monteith; Jeff Johnston, KPABA; Carly Hughes, Business Centre of Nipissing/Parry Sound; Dave Gray, CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Ron Begin, FedNor; Laura McNeice, EDO CAEDA; Josephine Rocheleau, NECO; Hazel Hornibrook, AHAC; Carole Mantha, MNDM; Rosalind Hall, Burk’s Falls.

 

  1. Welcome, call to order ~ Jeff Johnston 10:05 a.m.
  2. Introductions of attendees
  3. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest ~ N/A
  4. Adoption Minutes of October 1st-Merv Mulligan 2nd-Dave Gray All in favour

Business Arising (AHED Business):  Jeff Johnston began the meeting by discussing the purpose of AHED (please see attached terms of reference) and emphasizing that more groups and organizations should be invited and encouraged to be at the table – how do we do this?  Merv Mulligan stated that all groups have been invited, it is a standing offer that all groups are welcome at any meeting of AHED.  Dave Gray suggested that perhaps we reach out to these groups again and emphasized that people need a say/voice at the table to want to stay involved.  There was discussion surrounding the possibility of having one representative from each group involved in Economic Development getting together every few months to discuss how best to move forward in the Almaguin Highlands.  Ron Begin from FedNor added that there is a lot of representation at the AHED table and the group should build on that.  After a lot of discussion, ‘Showcase Almaguin’ was discussed at the table - the last one was in 2011.   Showcase Almaguin has always centered around a theme, in the past it has focused on Grants & Funding, Trails and Tourism – Ron suggested an ‘Economic Development Summit’ at a central location within the Almaguin Highlands (Rosalind offered to look into Burk’s Falls Arena) bringing in speakers and a lunch, a day event – a lot of names were mentioned at the table as potential speakers for the event.  The Women’s Own Resource Centre has spearheaded ‘Showcase Almaguin’ in the past and is quite willing to do so again, however Jessica Busch emphasized that a meeting should begin to set a plan in motion for making this happen – a meeting will be taking place at the Women’s Own Resource Centre office in South River on Tuesday November 26th at 10:00 a.m. 

  1. Reports from Community and Resource Partners

 

       Ron Begin/FedNor

Ron briefly discussed a new program delivered through FedNor – Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario Productivity Improvements.  Please see attached program information flyers, for more information or questions, please contact Ron at ron.begin@ic.gc.ca

 

     Carole Mantha/MNDM

Carol briefly discussed the new programming from NOHFC – she distributed the program guide to all attendees.  The new programs were made to align with the Northern Ontario Growth Plan and these new programs focus on – job creation, collaboration and partnerships.  If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to contact Carole at carole.mantha@ontario.ca

 

      Laura McNeice/EDO CAEDA

Laura shared the new marketing videos from CAEDA with the group – the videos are fantastic!  Please check them out on YouTube – just search Central Almaguin, they can also be found on Facebook and Laura indicated that they would be featured on the CAEDA website as well.  Feedback from the group was very positive – great job to all involved!  There was a meeting Monday Night focusing on Human Resources, speakers included Employment North, Humaniqua, and HR North – due to the weather, the meeting wasn’t as well attended as hoped however all attendees were able to gain valuable information from the meeting.  The next workshop presented by CAEDA will focus on Apprenticeship Programs and Co-op in January.

 

      Carly Hughes/Business Centre of Nipissing and Parry Sound

Carly discussed a few programs with the group today.  The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program will provide 20 aboriginal youths in the Nipissing/Parry Sound region aged 18 to 29 with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneur skills and ultimately start their own business – the program will be a combination of online learning and hands on workshops.  The next Lunch & Learn session will be held on Thursday November 28th, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1 College Drive in Parry Sound – “All you Need to Know About Insurance”.  The Mentorship Program is a customized program that seeks industry experts and business owners to act as mentors to newer entrepreneurs.  Through peer-to-peer learning, mentors provide experience-based knowledge that allows the mentees to avoid time consuming obstacles while expediting the development of their business.  Carly also mentioned three upcoming programs – Summer Company 2014, Micro-Lending for women and a Youth Job Strategy.  For more information or to register for any of these programs, please contact Carly at 705-746-5892 or email carly.hughes@vianet.ca

 

      Jessica Busch/WORC

The Women’s Own Resource Centre is hosting a Warm Winter Clothing Exchange and a Toy/Food Drive for the month of November and beginning of December – these events will wrap up on December 5th when WORC is hosting an open house from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in honour of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – please join us for some refreshments, pick up a free carnation and learn more about our programs, resources and supports.  Entrepreneurial Skills Training is wrapping up with great success and will be offered again in January, in three locations – Burk’s Falls, South River and Powassan – For more information or to register, please call 705-386-9672 or email info@womensownresource.org – Space is limited so don’t delay. 

 

      Dave Gray/CDO Burk’s Fall, Armour, Ryerson

Dave discussed the Firefighters Annual Food Drive – Wednesday December 4th at 6:30 p.m. the Firefighters will be visiting Novar, Kearney, Emsdale, Sprucedale and Magnetawan collecting food for the local food bank – please leave the porch light on and the firetruck will pick up any donations.  The Funder’s Forum took place on Wednesday November 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and was successful with approximately 15-16 businesses coming through for some information.  Friday December 6th will be the annual Tree Lighting ceremony – family bulbs are available to purchase and sign for $2.  The Christmas Craft Show will take place on the 21st from 10 to 2 at the Community Centre.

 

       Merv Mulligan/McMurrich Monteith

Sunday December 1st, Santa will be visiting the Community Centre – stop by and visit and enjoy some hot chocolate.  Hockey will be starting as soon as the ice has formed up in the outdoor rink.  The new internet tower on the west end of town works great.  The township has a new website built by Service Works – check it out at http://www.mcmurrichmonteith.com/

The township is currently looking at installing a War Memorial Rock in front of the Community Centre.

 

      Hazel Hornibrook/AHAC

Hazel shared some accomplishments for 2013 – The Artscape Tour on August Civic Holiday Weekend saw 17 artists participating.  Membership has tripled this year – artists from all over the Almaguin Highlands.  The Artscape Show & Sale which takes place the last weekend in October had 55 participating artists with approximately $12,000 in sales for the artists.  In 2014 AHAC plans to create a new Arts Directory with a Distribution Target Date for July 1st.  Members are reminded to renew their memberships which are due April 1st (membership runs from April 1 to March 31) renewal forms can be found on the website.  The Alex Dufresne Gallery Show will be taking place in Callander in July and August of 2014 – please call Doreen Wood for more information 705-386-0200.  The Studio Tour will take place on the August Civic Holiday Weekend and the last Weekend in September.  The Artscape Show & Sale will be the last weekend in October.  Check out the Almaguin Highlands Arts Council new website www.almaguinhighlandsartscouncil.com and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Almaguin HighlandsArtsCouncil

 

       Josephine Rocheleau/NECO

NECO has a new website up, please check it out at http://neco.on.ca/  The new website includes applications with fillable forms for easier use.  NECO has given funding to MOPED, North Bay & Area Potter’s Guild, and the Labour Market Group (as examples).  For more information please contact NECO at neco@vianet.ca

 

       John Santarossa/EDO Magnetawan

John reported that the Economic Development Strategy has been completed and adopted as of October 23rd.  Small Business Information Day was successful with many in attendance to benefit from the information provided.  The municipality is currently working with retirement housing developers to explore options as well as working on an asset management plan for the municipality.  The potential school closure is still very much a hot button topic.  The website for Magnetawan has been improved with enhancements to the Business Directory as well – check it out at www.magnetawan.com/ 

 

       Jeff Johnston/KPABA

Jeff reported that the AGM will be held on November 22nd from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Kearney Community Centre – thus far there has been a good response.  There will be a Kearney Fun Fair at the Community Centre on Saturday the 23rd – Santa will be there at noon, there will be a silent auction, craft tables, Lions Annual Ticket draw… Jeff also gave a reminder that Saturday December 7th will be the Lions Annual Telethon – please tune in.

 

  1. Correspondence:
  2. In-Camera (if required)
  3. Next meeting date: Thursday, January 16th, 2013 @ Location TBD
  4. Meeting Adjourned @ 12:00 p.m. 1st – Merv Mulligan 2nd – John Santarossa

 

 

 

 

      

      

 

     

 

     

 

 



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