Every Employer Matters
Small businesses, medium-sized enterprises and larger employers each make unique contributions to our economy and quality of life.
Why This Matters
A strong economy is not measured only by business investment. It is measured by whether young people can build careers close to home, whether employers can find skilled employees, whether entrepreneurs believe Collingwood is a good place to invest and whether families have confidence in their future. A prosperous economy creates opportunities for everyone.
Growing From Within
Prosperity is built by businesses, employees, entrepreneurs, volunteers, educators and community organizations working together. Municipal government’s role is to help create the conditions in which those partnerships can flourish. The best opportunity for creating tomorrow’s jobs is helping today’s employers continue to succeed.
Respect Private Investment
Council should complement — not unnecessarily compete with — existing private investment and avoid duplicating services already being successfully delivered.
Build the Foundations
Reliable infrastructure, attainable housing, transportation and broadband influence whether employers invest and employees choose to live and work here.
Vision for Collingwood — Publication No. 8: Growing Opportunity.
Regional Collaboration
South Georgian Bay Is One Economy
Employers across South Georgian Bay — from manufacturers and health-care providers to tourism operators, professional firms, family businesses and entrepreneurs — contribute to the strength of our regional economy.
Municipal Government Remains Local
The regional economy extends beyond municipal boundaries, but municipal government remains local. Voluntary collaboration can advance shared interests while every Council retains full authority for its own community.
Leadership Means Listening
Good ideas rarely belong to one person. They emerge when employers, employees, entrepreneurs, educators and community organizations work together toward a common purpose.
Partners in Prosperity
Employers & Entrepreneurs
Create jobs, invest locally, innovate and identify barriers to growth.
Employees & Educators
Build skills, careers and the workforce needed for long-term prosperity.
Municipalities
Create conditions for investment and collaborate on shared regional interests.
Community Organizations
Strengthen partnerships, quality of life and inclusive opportunity.
Primary references include Collingwood’s Economic Development Action Plan, Community Profile, Official Plan and the County of Simcoe Official Plan.
The Plan
Listen to the Economy
Engage employers, employees, entrepreneurs, educators and community organizations to understand opportunities and barriers.
Help Existing Employers Succeed
Focus on the businesses already creating jobs and contributing to Collingwood’s economy and quality of life.
Complement Private Investment
Use municipal initiatives to strengthen private and non-profit partnerships rather than duplicate successful services.
Strengthen Economic Foundations
Coordinate reliable infrastructure, attainable housing, transportation and broadband with long-term prosperity.
Convene a Partnership Summit
Work with South Georgian Bay Mayors, municipalities, employers and regional partners on a professionally facilitated implementation session.
Publish an Economic Action Plan
Conclude the Summit with shared priorities, responsibilities, timelines and public reporting.
Decision Test for Economic Initiatives
Opportunity
Will it help people build careers, businesses and a future close to home?
Employer Confidence
Does it improve confidence to invest, expand and create jobs?
Partnership
Does government complement rather than unnecessarily compete with existing investment?
Local Authority
Does every participating Council retain authority over its own community?
Action
Are priorities, responsibilities, timelines and reporting clearly defined?
Connecting the Vision
Reliable infrastructure and attainable housing underpin prosperity. PP08 complements PP01 on water services, PP05 on transportation and PP07 on housing.
Policy Position
Municipal government should create an environment where businesses have confidence to invest, expand and create new opportunities while strengthening voluntary partnerships across South Georgian Bay.
What Success Looks Like
Measuring Success
- Existing employers have confidence to invest and expand
- Young people can build more careers close to home
- Employers can find and retain skilled employees
- Entrepreneurs see Collingwood as a good place to invest
- Regional partners agree on practical shared priorities
- Action-plan responsibilities, timelines and progress are reported publicly
First 100 Days
Work with fellow Mayors, municipalities, employers and regional partners to explore the South Georgian Bay Partnership Summit, establish a collaborative agenda and define the process for an implementation-focused Economic Action Plan.
Closing Message
Municipal government cannot guarantee economic success. It can, however, create an environment where businesses have the confidence to invest, expand and create new opportunities. Together, we can build an economy that creates opportunity, strengthens our community and gives future generations every reason to choose Collingwood as the place they live, work, invest and call home.
— Norm
Selected Source Register
- Town of Collingwood Economic Development Action Plan (current refresh).
- Town of Collingwood Community Profile and Official Plan.
- County of Simcoe Official Plan.
- Ontario Municipal Act, 2001 and Planning Act.
Continuing the Conversation
Vision for Collingwood is intended to start conversations — not end them. Constructive comments, additional ideas and alternative perspectives are welcome as this vision continues to be refined.