November 28, 2011

Nottawasaga Futures, Alliston 

With over 84% of its manufacturing base related to the automotive sector, the Nottawasaga area has struggled significantly with the recent economic downturn.  “All South Simcoe business organizations and economic development departments faced this difficulty by working together to develop new resourceful approaches to creating and maintaining jobs,” says Valerie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Nottawasaga Futures (CFDC). 

Some examples include:  holding economic forums to educate and inform businesses of new developments and processes; a Green Economy Centre initiative; an increased number of workshops to assist businesses to reduce costs; and making visits to businesses to ask what support they specifically need (792 visits were completed within 7 months).  The positive results of these strategies have been to maintain or create 500+ jobs in the community in less than a year.  “We are anticipating a larger impact as the programs increase,” Valerie adds.