held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
at the
Present: Merv Mulligan, McMurrich/Monteith; Gilbert Lane, Ryerson; Brenda Scott, Village of South River, WORC; Chetna Sharma, MNDMF; David Stewart, Almaguin Inc.; Jeff Johnston, Kearney; Morley Moore, Whitestone.
Welcome
David Stewart updated on Muskoka Community Network who have completed their build and held an open house Wednesday, Sept. 15th at their Business and Technology Centre of Excellence. They have an excellent teleconference room including a large projection screen and two large wide screen televisions, seating for 16, 8 desks and all can be arranged in classroom or boardroom configuration. Laptops have the ability to display on one or all screens. MCN, Unit C4 440, Ecclestone Drive. Discussion was held as to the possibility of virtual conferencing the AHED meetings from the South River Council Chamber to members, Ministry representatives, business owners/operators, etc. This was met with positive response and will be investigated further for the next meeting.
Jeff Johnston reported on the AMO conference he attended and felt it was very informative. Speakers on the recession and the economic future as impacted by oil prices were advising that the recession would be longer and deeper than previous years. As prices continue to rise the priority for public transportation for work, education and training becomes more necessary and the ripple to the consumer through higher food costs, etc., only increase the negative impact.
The book ‘Why Your World is About to Get A Whole Lot Smaller by Jeff Rubin, CIBC Chief Economist, one of the AMO speakers was a recommended read. He also wished to acknowledge the excellent radio coverage we are receiving from FM 105.5 Muskoka Lite Favourites.
Brenda Scott updated on Carpool Almaguin. At this time there are 10 parking lots throughout the region and 47 registered drivers sharing rides to Huntsville, Parry Sound and North Bay. She also commented on the need for awareness of Bill C51 and the potential criminalization of growing and sharing any ‘nutrient’ the government seeks control of, this would include some herbs, food, items such as raw milk, etc. Chetna Sharma, MNDMF, will provide with more information to be shared.
Moved by : Brenda Scott Seconded by : Gib Lane
Municipal Elections: Following the elections – Invitations to our AHED meetings will be extended to all of the new councils.
The next meeting we will be discussing projects to support such as signage, mapping, accommodations, etc. Ongoing support for trail development is seeing very positive results.
7.1 Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Forestry Sharma
Chetna updated on the Northern Ontario Energy Credit and had application forms to hand out. This year you must apply but in the following years it will be automatic. Application is available on the Ministry of Revenue website. No new MNDMF programmes but there has been a lot of applications for current ones. If applying it is an absolute necessity to fit the criteria guideline. Green energy continues to be a priority; there are grants available to businesses.
Kearney is currently undertaking a study for a Wind Turbine Farm.
7.2 NECO Lecour
7.3 FedNOR Begin
7.4 WORC/South River Scott
The ROPE self-employment workshops commence next week in South River and Emsdale. Carpool Almaguin continues to grow.
We have submitted an application to Sobey’s for our Green Garden Mentor Project. This is aimed at young people, teens to 30, to be matched with an experienced gardener to learn how to grow their own food and eat a healthier diet.
7.5 Township of Chisholm Boyle
7.6 Ryerson, Armour, Burk’s Falls Lane
There will be a meeting held this Saturday to discuss solar panel farm sites. The Screaming Heads event attracts more than 1000 people. There are public meetings being held regarding a proposed quarry at Pegg’s Mountain.
7.7 Municipality of Whitestone Moore
Accessibility Construction at the Community Centre is almost complete. Screening is being replaced by plexiglass. Hwy. 520 has been resurfaced all the way to Arber. Hwy 124 is being re-surfaced and widened to accommodate bike paths. No approvals still from MNR for trails. The Canada Post trailer will be remaining on site.
7.8 Powassan Economic Development Report Olajos
7.9 McMurrich/Monteith Mulligan
Community Centre project continues, tenders prices are extremely high and would like to discuss with others what might be done to remedy this. Summer event was held under the new structure because of the rain, and went very well. A grant of $10,000 was received from Ontario Hydro. Road reconstruction is almost complete and this will encourage cyclist as well as others to tour through the area. Merv Mulligan, Singer Songwriter is performing at Renee’s Café on Oct. 2nd at 8 p.m. $7 cover. Will be joined by Wendy Whelan.
7.10 Kearney Economic Development Johnston
David Hunks has been hired as the Treasurer/Economic Development Officer. The town dock is being replaced with a steel girded dock that is part of the Waterfront Accessibility Improvement Project. Applied for $57,000 for landscaping and accessibility upgrades. Kearney is prospering with new and expanding businesses, population is growing. A Wind Turbine Farm project is being studied that will create jobs and generate power. The Graphite Mine is set to re-open next year and will employ 70. Tourism is being encouraged especially accommodations.
7.11 Central Almaguin Economic Development Association Mahon
7.12 Magnetawan Area Business Association Tod
7.13 Westwind Forest Services Munro
7.14 Citizenship & Immigration(Culture Health Promotion) Loiselle
7.15 Almaguin Highlands Inc. Stewart
Almaguin Highlands Inc. has upgraded their website including access to Georgian Bay Country and Muskoka Tourism. Municipal links for the RTO12 are being sought. RTO 12 representatives will be making a presentation at the Municipal Association Meeting on Oct. 1st in Trout Creek. Information is being released through the website. www.rto12.ca and all tourism businesses are encouraged to become members.
7.16 Municipality of Magnetawan Urbanski
7.17 Nipissing Negrinotti
7.18 Almaguin Highlands Council for the Arts Sohm
7.19 Village of South River Coleman
Geothermal has been installed; a tour of the new facility and library is being proposed to take place in October. The Steering Committee will be touring the new hydro electric plant at their next meeting.
7.20 Perry Township Dunn/Love
The new AHIC centre is holding an open house on October 2nd. AHED is looking forward to touring.
7.21 OMAFRA
7.22 Region 12 RTO
www.rto12.ca website is up and running. It will have current updated information as it happens.
8. Correspondence
9. In – Camera
Location: TBA. Possibly new AHIC Centre, or McMurrich Monteith.
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