Do you need information on rural and economic development in Northeastern Ontario? Check out the different resources below.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
provides information on rural development programs and services while a staff directory is available online of Rural Development Division Staff.
The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines delivers regional economic development programs to northern Ontario communities. MNDM ‘s Regional Economic Development Branch has established an integrated network of area teams to serve as the focal point for economic development in Northern Ontario. The North has been divided into six service areas around the following centres: Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury and North Bay.
MNDM’s Regional Economic Development Branch provides information on its MNDM programs and services page. Staff directory is available on-line.
New in Rural and Economic Development?
Ontario’s Rural Plan - Strong Rural Communities: Working Together for Success
Ontario’s Rural Plan, announced on November 10, 2004, is a plan that acknowledges the important contributions that rural Ontario makes to the vitality of the entire province. The plan offers strategies for addressing ways to boost economic development, fiscal pressures, infrastructure needs, and the importance of healthy communities and a clean and healthy environment.
REDDI’s Online Calendar of Rural Economic Development Events
REDDI has a web calendar that lists upcoming workshops, training events and conferences related to local economic development. Check this calendar to keep up-to-date on different economic development events and educational opportunities.
NORTHERN ONTARIO OVERVIEW
The vast regions of Northern Ontario are home to a diverse array of businesses operating at the leading edge of the 21st century’s global economy. From sophisticated wood and paper products to mass-transit vehicles, from fibre-optic based call centres to remote-control mining equipment, Northern Ontario’s products and services are known around the world.
NORTHERN ONTARIO INFRASTRUCTURE & SOCIAL FACTORS
MNDM has assembled useful information on the factors that underlie economic development in the north.
Other economic sector topics include:
Provincial Grants and Programs – Rural and Economic Development
Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF)
COMRIF is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Ontario municipalities. We are working together to improve and renew public infrastructure across the province.
All Ontario municipalities of less than 250,000 people can now apply to the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to improve their public infrastructure. The Governments of Canada and Ontario signed an agreement to each provide up to $298 million over the next five years to improve public infrastructure in small urban and rural municipalities throughout the province.
Rural Economic Development Program
The Rural Economic Development Program, a $200 million, five-year program is offered by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as component of the Ontario Small Town and Rural (OSTAR) Development Initiative - a two-part $600 million initiative launched in 2000 to assist economic growth in rural Ontario.
Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E)
This internationally recognized community development tool responds to business needs and issues. It encourages communities and local businesses to work together and it enhances job creation and economic prosperity.
REDDI - Local Economic Development Web site
The REDDI Web site contains community economic resources (tools, services, links and products) to support local economic development planning. If you’re involved in the local economic development process across Ontario, you’ve come to the right place. This site will help you identify local priorities and carry out strategies that will achieve your community’s goals. Starting with a community strategic planning process, REDDI has five steps to support your local economic development activities.
Economic development colleagues from Ontario and other jurisdictions have many resources, tools and programs that support economic development. A wealth of information can be found on a wide range of Web sites. The following list represents select sites with valuable general, economic and business development information and resources.
Ontario Investment Service
Aimed at potential investors as they make business location or expansion decisions, provides details about the availability of appropriately zoned land, local wage rates, transportation and servicing infrastructure, tax rates or other such local information.
Statistical Profile of Canadian Communities
Contains information from the 2001 Census of Population. Statistical profiles for all Canadian communities (cities, towns, villages, Indian Reserves and settlements, etc.), for metropolitan areas and for health regions. Information on education, income and work, families and dwellings, births and deaths as well as general population information. A mapping feature is available for viewing the location of a community within Canada.
Community and Economic Development Strategies
On the REDDI Web Site
The Strategy Section of the REDDI web site contains a variety of effective economic development strategies including:
- Managing Downtown Revitalization
- Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E)
- Guide to Economic and Financial Impact Assessment
- Rural Tourism
- Investment Attraction
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Incubation
On Other Web Sites
Check out the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Web site for information on business development and expansion.
Other Links
Ontario Rural Council - The Ontario Rural Council is a forum that brings together those who share a commitment to building strong rural communities and organizations. The Council provides a unique and important opportunity for multi-sector co-operation within the rural sector.
Ontario Business Improvement Area Association - To find the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association check out the members list on their Web site.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Please visit the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Web site for a members list and select a chamber.
University of Guelph and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Research Directorate - To contribute to the sustainability of rural Ontario by undertaking research that is effective in improving the economic, social and environmental conditions of rural communities.
Canadian Rural Partnership
The Canadian Rural Partnership provides a key policy framework supporting federal rural policy efforts.
Rural Community and Organization Development Resources - Find online fact sheets on community and organization development, strategic and program planning for organizations and many other topics at the Web site for Rural Development Information, Resources and Fact Sheets.