held Thursday, August 19, 2004
Present: David Stewart, Leia Halford, Christina Golding, Brenda Scott, Beata Barnard, Glenn Barnard, Kathy Parker, Kay Tod, Jeff Buell, Scott Mannering, Susan Church, Nicky Kunkel, Gilbert Lane and Martin Parker
Regrets: Don Carter, Kathleen Finley
Resource Persons: Bob Sjonnesen and Dominique Marleau, MNDM
Guest: David Saad
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order with Christina Golding in the chair.
Declarations of Pecuniary Interest – nil
Deputations
David Saad, Recreation for Youth
David Saad reviewed the initiative called the Recreation 2010 Plan. He noted that children and youth are not having opportunities to participate in recreation. The Recreation 2010 Project will fund studies to develop a plan for improving recreational opportunities. He recommended that municipalities look at this programme collectively and individually. Additional information is available from the area’s Tourism/Recreation Representative.
David Saad announced the initiative of the Community Canada Games Programme by the Canada Games Council. These games are for children in grades 3 to 7.
Adoption of Minutes of July 15
K. Parker/Stewart
That the minutes of the meeting of July 15, 2004 be adopted.
Carried
Reports from Members and Community Partners
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Bob Sjonnesen reported the funding priorities for the NOHFC have yet to be established and information is expected later this fall.
LTAB
Christina Golding announced Brenda Scott and herself are now on the LTAB Board. The summary of LTAB accomplishments for the past year was distributed.
Blue Sky Net Broadband Initiative
Scott Mannering provided an update on the Blue Sky Net initiative. The project has a $1.5 million capital investment commitment at this time. The decision on additional funding by the NOHFC is expected in September.
Jeff Buell thanked AHSPIC and the municipalities in the Almaguin Highlands for their support of the project. Community support is essential for the funding applications.
Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
Susan Church outlined the accomplishments of the Blue Sky EGC over the past year. The organization is looking for additional funding beyond the current FedNor funding. She distributed copies of the Year 2 report for the Blue Sky ECG. The approximately $200,000 spent by the groups has generated over $11 Million in economic activities in the region.
Blue Sky ECG is preparing a summary of government programme and will be distributing it to municipalities and other economic partners in the near future.
Susan Church noted the Province is placing a priority on regional projects.
Susan Church noted the Blue Sky ECG has an allocation of $1,000 for AHSPIC which can be transferred to other projects the committee wishes to accomplish in the region.
Women’s Own Resource Centre
Brenda Scott reviewed the recent work of the WORC. The Outreach Programme will start up again in September. She reviewed the specific programme offered as part of the Outreach Programme.
Almaguin Highlands Web Site
David Stewart felt there needed to be more links between the various web sites in the region.
Micro-Business Development Centre
Kathy Parked reviewed the growth in visitation the MBDC has experienced over the past 12 months. Retail sales are also increasing. The Internet Café has been very successful with users from many parts of the world.
Almaguin Highlands Information Centre – nil
Almaguin Festivals and Events
Leia Halford announced that the number of events for this year has now grown to 455. An upcoming project is the development of a data base on equipment available in the region and a workshop for event organizers
Almaguin Highlands Logo
It was noted the logo is now being marketed by a business and it was agreed this should be discussed at a future meeting. Susan Church suggested the use of the logo and name be reviewed as their could be some inappropriate uses.
Kay Tod agreed to research the ownership of the logo design. It was noted the name ‘Almaguin Highlands’ as been in the public domain for many years.
Almaguin Chamber of Commerce – nil
Tourism and Economic Study
Susan Church reviewed the Tourism and Economic Study being initiated by Blue Sky ECG. There will be focus groups as part of the study.
Business Expansion and Retention Workshop in Sudbury
Gilbert Lane recommended that the region be represented at the Sudbury workshop scheduled for November 2 to 4. It was noted the Business Expansion and Retention Programme will be the topic of discussion at the next Steering Committee meeting.
Correspondence
Motions in support of Blue Sky Net from Township of Strong, Township of Machar, Village of South River, Village of Burk’s Falls, Township of Armour, and Municipality of Magnetawan
Other Business – nil
Adjournment and Next Meeting
It was agreed the next meeting would be Thursday September 16 at 10 a.m. in the South River – Machar Community Centre.
The meeting was adjourned.
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