Manpreet Kaur Sangha, Economic Development Officer, Inland Hub, and Coreena Smith, Senior Planner with the County of Bruce provided the Bruce County Planning & Economic Development Annual Update.
Ms. Smith began the presentation with a review of 2020 and the priorities for 2021. Planning applications for Huron-Kinloss for 2020 were 25 down from 29 in 2021. Highlights for 2020 include Draft approval of Hellyn Development Inc with 66 to 74 new residential units, conditional approval of consent applications in Ripley to finalize the lot layout, road, and servicing requirements in the former McTavish subdivision. 2021 will include completing the Ontario Modernization Fund projects: online development applications, use technology to connect local building permit information, land use strategic plan which will include a return to the local service MOU.
Ms. Sangha discussed the economic development "macro" approach. 2020 was year 4 of the 5 year "Find Yourself in Bruce County" Economic Development Strategic Plan. In 2020 the Bruce County Economic Task Force led the creation of Support the Bruce: Business Sustainability Fund. Spruce the Bruce Pandemic response assisted 101 main street businesses in the County access grants to make the needed modifications as a result of the pandemic that included: facade improvements, outdoor patios, and takeout windows, perpendicular signs, awnings, and marketing campaigns.
For 2021 the area of focus for Ripley is community development and for Lucknow, marketing and promotions.
The Committee thanked the County for its efforts over the pandemic. A question was asked regarding the loan program. It was explained that the loans are managed by Bruce Community Futures with a maximum $20,000 loan at 2.5% interest.