EDCO Member Updates

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT APPLICATION

The Tourism Investment Dragons Marketplace event! Submit your tourism-related investment opportunities.

Dear Members,

EDCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is pleased to partner on the “Meet the Tourism Investment Dragons” marketplace to be held on November 28, 2024, in Toronto.

The Dragons event is an opportunity for senior economic development officials from across Ontario to present market-ready, tourism-related investment land sites and business opportunities to interested developers, investors, and influencers in a speed dating format.

To help identify suitable investors, municipalities and government agencies must submit a summary of their investment cases in advance that identify land sites and business plans for new hotel development, retail, attractions, and mixed-use developments.

The investors will be interested in seeing tourism-related commercial and mixed-use projects that could be developed on government or municipal land sites such as waterfront property, parking lots, agricultural and recreational land, parklands, vacant buildings, or historical assets in need of new investment. Some private sector properties zoned for commercial tourism or mixed-use may be considered.

Given the high demand and limited scheduling capacity for the event, it is crucial to ensure that your investment cases are robust, comprehensive, and compelling. We’ve attached a refined template that incorporates the below listed criteria for evaluation, enhancing the likelihood of selection.

· Project Overview

· Site Description

· Investment Opportunity

· Strategic Advantages

· Community and Tourism Profile

· Incentives and Support

· Timelines

· Contact Information

· Attachments

Time with the investors is limited. Each municipality or agency can submit a maximum of two investment cases. Submitting your investment cases does not guarantee participation in the event. Only those submissions that demonstrate the best opportunities for success will be considered.

Please complete the attached investment opportunities template and send your investment opportunities to ido.ont@ontario.ca

If you wish to add graphics to your submission, please limit them to two per investment opportunity.

Submission deadline is TODAY - July 30, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EDT.

All opportunities will be reviewed and assessed, and you will be contacted in August 2024.

If selected to participate, a fee of approximately $50 per person is required to cover lunch and administrative services. Additional information about the Dragons event will be released in September 2024.

For more information about the event or the attached template, please contact:

James Lynn (james.lynn@ontario.ca) or Maximiliano Jimenez Armitage (Maximiliano.jimenez@ontario.ca).

Thank you.

Invest Opportunities Template

Join the EDCO Board of Directors: Nominations Now Open!

EDCO's election takes place to fill vacancies created on the Board of Directors for a two-year term. For our 2025 & 2026 election, we are filling four vacancies.

Interested candidates must apply using the online application form, link below, no later than September 15th, 2024.

Please review the 2024 Board Nomination Package in full prior to applying. Make sure to include your completed Supervisor Support Acknowledgement Document. Visit out website for more information here.

Apply to be on the Board!

EDCO Survey: Exploring opportunities and programs aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among Ontario's Millennials and Generation Z

Hello EDCO member and Businesses,

The EDCO's Bright Ideas Team is looking into opportunities and programs for Ontario’s Millennials and Generation Z to enhance their entrepreneurship. To identify specific resources, including cross-border opportunities for young entrepreneurs to launch their business confidently, this study aims to identify their challenges and calibrate supportive programs.

We request your assistance in participating and sharing this survey with businesses in your community. Your valuable insights will help shape effective entrepreneurial support programs and initiatives.

Thanks for your support. This will help facilitate entrepreneurship among young talents in Ontario.

To participate, please use the survey link that suits you the best. Responses will remain confidential and will only be used for study purposes.

Which of the following best describes you:

· An entrepreneur

If selected, proceed with survey Questionnaire 01

· Employed in Economic Development, workforce development, Business Support Organizations, Government Agencies, Academic Institutions, etc.

If selected, proceed with survey Questionnaire 02

Thank you for your participation.

The Walkerton Event will bring a jam-packed agenda full of engaging sessions like Energy Transitions: Shifting Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy, Laugh Lessons, Fireside Chat Small Business Investment and Expansion: Learn from Southwestern Ontario Entrepreneurs, Agriculture and Innovation Panel, Destination Management: Why Providing great visitor experiences should be #1 priority, and much more!

Check out the current Agenda, more to come! You won't want to miss this opportunity to network and grow your skills.

Our Eastern Region Professional Development Event brings informative and engaging sessions from Kingston Economic Development Corporation who will be hosting us on October 10th, 2024.

The days topics will include Developing your Destination Brand, Moving Beyond Tokenism in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, The Great Business Succession and Leveraging AI for Economic Development.

View the current agenda and Register today, spaces are limited.

Member Requests

Don't Miss Out: OINP's Solutions to Labour Shortages at AMO 2024

Are your elected officials attending AMO on August 18^th? Don't miss the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) presentation from 3:00-4:30 PM. Discover how to address labor shortages, retain international students, and attract skilled foreign workers to your community.

Join us to learn how Ontario's immigration program can enhance your workforce planning strategy.

Learn more about the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and its business services.

The Sustainable Northern Ontario Economic Development course(s) provide the foundation you need to understand and promote economic and social development in Northern Ontario. The program has completed eight successful offerings and has had 120 total registrations from North Bay to Rainy River.

Learn about opportunities and challenges, strategies for economic development, and more!

The courses are designed for:

● Municipal politicians who make or influence economic decisions in Northern Ontario and want to learn more about taking action and creating wealth.

● Economic development professionals in Northern Ontario who make or influence economic decisions and growth.

● Business owners who want to help build strong communities.

● Provincial, municipal or federal employees living in Northern Ontario.

● Professionals that are new to the field who want to solidify their knowledge.

● Individuals that work on projects connected to Northern Ontario.

Upcoming Start Dates:

September 11, 2024 - SNOED 101

September 19, 2024 - SNOED 201

For more information: https://snoed.ca/ or please contact program officer Emily Davis at edavis@snoed.ca or 705-572-8956, ext. 402

News

Ontario Beefing Up Support for Cattle Farmers

CARLETON PLACE, ON — The Ontario government is strengthening the province’s beef sector by increasing financing available through the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program to $500 million. The province is also investing in an industry-led market development program to increase domestic and international sales.

“Our province’s Grow Ontario Strategy commits to strengthening the province’s agriculture and food supply chain and increasing agri-food trade by eight per cent per year,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The actions we’re announcing today support both of these goals and will help Ontario’s beef sector capture new opportunities now and in the future.”

Ontario Investing Up to $260 Million to Train Workers

TORONTO — The Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream opens today, with up to an additional $260 million available, the biggest funding round since the Fund launched in 2021. Building on the success of the previous four rounds, the fifth round will help tackle Ontario’s labour shortage by connecting jobseekers with employers, allowing them to begin rewarding careers in in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction and technology.

“Under Premier Ford, our government has revived our province’s manufacturing and construction sectors – and the key to our success is Ontario’s workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Today, our government launches the fifth round of our Skills Development Fund, with up to $260 million available in funding – making this the largest round yet and the biggest investment in skills training in Ontario’s history. We are calling on Ontario’s business and labour communities and everyone with an interest in training workers to submit their proposals and help us build Ontario.”

Member Requests﻿

Ontario Beefing Up Support for Cattle Farmers

Ontario Investing Up to $260 Million to Train Workers

Member Requests