October 20, 2002
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS FOR JOB CREATION: A basic tenet of Community Economic Development is the explicit role of local organizations in “making things happen”. Interventions in dispersed rural communities like Huron County are most successful when the issues are locally identified, and initiatives are as locally driven as possible. While a range of organizations can typically take on CED, logic suggests that business organizations (Chambers, B.I.A.’s, etc.) have mandates that are often closely aligned with the objectives of economic development.
Both formal and informal business organizations have existed in Huron County for decades. However, much of their activity has revolved narrowly around retail promotion and downtown beautification. Few of them have traditionally engaged in broader community economic development efforts. While there are multiple reasons for their reluctance to take part in broader efforts (e.g. awareness of local conditions, examples of best practices, financial and human resources to carry them out), Huron County’s business organizations represent a valuable untapped asset. Enhancing their economic development capacity can bring new effective players to the table.
From September 2000 until December 2001, the Huron Business Development Corporation co-ordinated a project called Business Partnerships for Job Creation (BPJC). BPJC was aimed at developing each community’s ability to take some responsibility for its own economic development – and support practical initiatives that could lead to the retention of existing businesses, opening up new opportunities for business start-ups and expansions; and ultimately job creation. The primary focus was on the business community as represented by formal and in-formal associations and alliances found throughout Huron County. These included Chambers of Commerce, Merchants’ Associations, Business Improvement Areas and other Business Groups.
BPJC was implemented over a 16-month period according to a six-stage plan of action:
1. All business organizations in Huron County were identified and contacted to determine their willingness to take part in the project.
2. Meetings were held with representatives from each participating organization to provide an understanding of the program objectives and to develop collective performance criteria for individual projects and the overall program.
3. Community consultation sessions were arranged to engage participants in a discussion of the economic status of their communities and to facilitate the identification of appropriate projects to pursue.
4. Organizations were assisted in developing action plans and the formation of partnerships needed to implement the projects. Funding for projects was approved and allocated from an Implementation Fund according to the pre-determined project criteria.
5. A joint meeting of all business organizations was organized to discuss common issues, themes and best practices around the use of the Internet as a community economic development tool. This discussion lead to the formation of a project team charged with the task of preparing a Connect Ontario funding proposal.
6. All community projects were monitored and evaluated by participants over the course of their implementation.
In summary, the BPJC achieved the following results:
- 9 local CED projects, totalling $31,037 were planned, implemented and completed by local business groups
- 1 countywide information technology initiative was undertaken jointly with Huron County business organizations. This included a workshop on best community website practices followed by a funding proposal submitted to Connect Ontario for creation of a regional ICT strategy
- Collectively, these projects involved 49 distinct community organizations as partners, including the 9 lead organizations. Many of these partner organizations may not have previously considered CED as part of their mandate, particularly service clubs and schools
- 434 Huron County residents were actively engaged as volunteers in these projects. 63 of these were core volunteers, spending significant time in planning and managing their respective initiatives
- Each participating organization was asked to gauge the increase in local business activity in their communities as a direct result of the program. 3 of the 9 participating groups felt their communities experienced a direct increase in business activity as a result, while an additional 4 felt confident that their projects would result in future economic impacts down the road. Cumulative impact figures for all projects at the conclusion of the program included 2 new businesses and 13 new CED projects (over and above the initial BPJC), with a job impact of 10 people employed, either full or part-time as a direct result
- 76% of program participants (core volunteers) stated that they feel better prepared to undertake economic development in their communities as a direct result of their involvement in the project
Aside from the short-term outcomes, perhaps the most significant result of this program is that there are now dozens of people across Huron County who have become actively involved in Community Economic Development projects from inception to evaluation. For many, this has been their first practical experience in dealing proactively with local economic issues. While the short term and tangible achievements are variable from project to project, by their own admission, most participants have indicated that they feel they are better equipped to articulate community needs, and develop local responses that will allow them to take a measure of control over their economic destiny. This in and of itself should bode well for the future of CED efforts in Huron County.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CFDC: Huron Business Development Corporation
138 Main St. S
Seaforth, Ontario
N0K 1W0
Contact: Paul Nichol, Economic Development Manager
Telephone: (519) 527-0305
Fax: (519) 527-2240
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.