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Beyond The Survey… Putting BR+E Results to work in the Almaguin Highlands

Learn about the Almaguin Highlands BR+E Project analysis results and the key challenges and opportunities identified. Discover the recommendations and initiatives taken to address workforce challenges, succession planning, regional collaboration, and more.

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Beyond The Survey… Putting BR+E Results to work in the Almaguin Highlands

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  1. Beyond The Survey…Putting BR+E Results to work in the Almaguin Highlands

  2. Project analysis slide 2 Almaguin Highlands?? Where??? Highway 11 Corridor Lake Bernard 5200 Km2 Largest freshwater lake in the world without an island Screaming Heads Rocks…Trees…Water…. Punctuated by 10 unique villages across 13 municipalities

  3. Project analysis slide 2 Almaguin from an E.D. Perspective

  4. Project analysis slide 2 BR+E Project Background 13 Municipalities 18 Sectors Surveyed Almaguin BR+E Provincial BR+E Program 47 Volunteers Trained • Members of the public • Council Reps (Never used in their municipality). • Business Owners 17 Member Leadership Team 267 Businesses Surveyed Fun Fact: BR+E was the first regional ED project in over 15 years (that required investment from all parties) It has ultimately helped pave the way for larger scale long term regional economic development.

  5. Project analysis slide 4 Quick thoughts on surveying 267 businesses across 5200 Km2…

  6. Project analysis slide 3 Key Challenges Workforce Challenges Succession Planning Regional Collaboration Limited Programming Expansion Opportunities • Aging Workforce • Skills Gaps • Limited access to / knowledge of programs • High Costs of training • Desire to expand • Unaware of support programs • Workforce issues • ‘Red Tape’ • Aging Operators • No exit plans • Very few internal workforce plans • No plans to market or sell spaces • Duplicated ED efforts • Poor communication • Limited funds • Sr. Level Government Pressure • Social Programming • Business Support • Outlying Area to many Organizations • New(er) ED Depts

  7. Project analysis slide 4 Recommendations(Highlights) General Work Force

  8. Project analysis slide 4 Recommendations(Continued) Exit & Succession Planning Regional Collaboration

  9. Immediate Follow up & Results South Almaguin Project analysis slide 7 25 Opportunities 12 Issues Over 100 Information Requests Filled • Funding Programs • Co-ops, Internships, Apprenticeship Programs • Supportive Program Information • Hiring Options • Business Closures • Relocation Needs • Workforce Needs/Staff Risks • Downsizing • Forecasted Sales • Physical Expansion • Workforce expansions • Funder Referrals • Program Referrals

  10. Project analysis slide 6 BR&E Supported Efforts Small Business Learning Opportunities & Workshops Summary Recommendation Areas: Workforce Development, E-Business, Social Media, Joint Marketing, Careers Trade Shows, Succession Planning 11 Strategic Partnerships Leveraged • Local EDCs • Labour Market Group • Women’s Own Resource Centre • Employment Resource Centre • The Business Centre • NECO CFDC • M.E.N.D.M. • FedNor • RTO12 / Explorers Edge • Chamber of Commerce • E-Business Tools • Careers & Trades Fair • Workplace relationships • Online Marketing • Facebook for SMEs • Tourism Packaging • Work Force Planning • Networking events • Succession Planning

  11. Project analysis slide 6 BR&E Supported Efforts Joint Marketing, Regional Marketing and Regional Shop Local / Buy Local • 26 Business Participants • 2970 Transactions • 130k Social Media Impressions • 35 Business Participants • 86K Impressions • 3 Content Articles Created • 1.67M Impressions • Multiple features, operators and communities promoted • Participation increases = quality increases • Full regional representation • Cash generator for Regional CoC

  12. Project analysis slide 6 BR&E Supported Efforts Major Regional & Local Projects Recommendation Areas: Regional Marketing, Regional Collaboration, Joint Marketing, Succession Planning Other Impact Areas: Justification for ongoing research, planning and collaborative efforts. Regional Marketing Partnership 2016 Central Almaguin Immigration Strategy • Over $125K in partnership funds leveraged using BR+E Results • Over $530K worth of in-process applications for future projects

  13. Project analysis slide 6 BR&E Moving Forward

  14. Project analysis slide 6 BR&E Moving Forward Final Thoughts on Rural BR+E • Relationship Building: Our BR+E was a ‘first contact’ for many businesses. We used it to build strong foundations. • Keeping post-survey momentum going is crucial. Have an organization own it and plan to connect regularly. • Develop and leverage a strong communication network that includes councils, businesses and supportive partners – • opportunities can pop up from many sources.

  15. Thanks! Dave Gray, Ec.D.Community Economic Development OfficerBurk’s Falls & Area CED CEDO@BurksFalls.ca (705)571-1564 http://baced.ca/business-support-investing/plans-and-studies/

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