Minutes of Economic Development and Culture Committee Meeting

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Electronic and In-Person Participation - Economic Development and Culture Committee
The Corporation of the Town of Orangeville
(Chair and Secretary at Town Hall - 87 Broadway)
Orangeville, Ontario
Members Present:
  • Chair Councillor Andrews
  • Vice Chair J. Patterson, Orangeville BIA
  • L. Horne, Orangeville Real Estate Board
  • J. Large, Business Community Representative
  • J. Small, Public Member
Members Absent:
  • D. Morris, Dufferin Board of Trade
  • S. Waqar, Public Member
Staff Present:
  • J. Bryan, Business Services Assistant, Economic Development & Culture
  • K. Lemire, Manager, Economic Development & Culture

1.
Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m.

1.1
Introduction of Committee Member - J. Large

 

Councillor Andrews, Chair, introduced Justin Large.

2.
Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest

 

None.

3.
Land Acknowledgment

 

The Chair acknowledged the treaty lands and territory of the Williams Treaty Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Chair also recognized that Dufferin County is the traditional territory of the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee, and is home to many Indigenous people today.

4.
Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

 
  • 2025-001
    Moved byJ. Patterson

    That the minutes of the following meeting are approved:

5.
Presentations

 

5.1
Dufferin County Economic Development Update - Yaw Ennin, Manager of Economic Development, Dufferin County

 

Y. Ennin reviewed some of Dufferin County's Economic Development priorities for 2025. 

Y. Ennin explained that a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Feasibility Study will be conducted and will include extensive stakeholder input. 

He discussed the development of a County-wide Community Improvement Program that will complement existing Community Improvement Plans in Orangeville and Shelburne and encourage other lower-tier municipalities in Dufferin County to create their own.  

Y. Ennin also discussed Dufferin County's Tariff Response Plan as was presented at Dufferin County's Council meeting on Tuesday, February 13th (Item 10.6 County Approach to Tariffs).

6.
Working Group Reports

 

6.1
Arts & Culture

 

There were no current activities to report.

6.2
Business Outreach

 

K. Lemire presented a Business Outreach Plan for 2025 that outlined five specific tactics to be managed by the EDC division. She discussed that a variety of tactics are required to ensure that the EDC division can meet the specific needs of local businesses and provide relevant support and value. The five tactics include a Business Visitation Program, Business Milestone Recognition, New Business Connections, Town Touch Points, and M1 Zone Directory Updates. A new online Business Connections form is used as the intake tool for each of these tactics. 

Councillor Andrews asked that each Committee member consider their connections with local businesses and determine those that may be interested in a business visit. He also suggested that gathering groups of businesses in related sectors may be beneficial, similar to the Real Estate Roundtable event that was hosted in November.  

J. Patterson discussed the opportunity to ensure other Town divisions are connecting business owners with the EDC division. 

The EDC Committee discussed the development of a postcard that could be left with local businesses. The postcard would include EDC contact information, a link to the new Business Connections form, and information about the EDC division's available support.

The implementation of the Business Visitation Program will be discussed at the next EDC Committee meeting. 

7.
Items for Discussion and Reports

 

7.1
Economic Development and Culture Activity Report, February 2025

 

K. Lemire encouraged Committee members to connect with the EDC division with any questions.

7.2
2025 Committee Meeting Schedule

 

2025-002

  • Moved byJ. Small

    That the Economic Development and Culture Committee reschedule the Tuesday, March 18, 2025 meeting to Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 8 a.m.

    Carried

7.3
Appointment to the Community Improvement Plan Committee

 

2025-003

  • Moved byCouncillor Andrews

    That Justin Large be appointed as the Economic Development and Culture Committee representative to the Community Improvement Plan Committee.

    Carried

7.4
Improved Approval Process for Committee Meeting Minutes

 

Councillor Andrews, Chair, explained the new Committee meeting minute review process.

8.
Correspondence

 

None.

9.
Announcements

 

9.1
Member Sectorial Updates

 

Councillor Andrews provided a Council update. He discussed the 2025 budget that was approved by Council on December 10, 2024 and he provided an update on the progress of the new Fire Hall. He reviewed a Notice of Motion that was endorsed by Council to support Canadian businesses and to strengthen the local, provincial and national economy responding to tariff actions imposed by US President Trump. He confirmed that the EDC Committee's 2025 Work Plan was approved by Council on December 2, 2024. He discussed his attendance at the 2025 ROMA Conference with Mayor Post, where affordable housing, health care, and infrastructure investment topped the list of discussions. He spoke about the Town's EDI Committee and provided an updated on the Affordable Housing Task Force. 

On behalf of D. Morris and the Dufferin Board of Trade, K. Lemire reminded the Committee about the upcoming industry luncheon on February 27th, 2025.

J. Patterson provided an updated from the Orangeville Business Improvement Area (BIA). He said it was a busy holiday season in downtown Orangeville and that the new Holiday Market hosted in November was well-received. He provided an updated about the BIA's Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025.

L. Horne provided an update on the residential and commercial real estate market in Orangeville.

J. Small spoke about the first-ever Economic Impact Assessment of the live music industry in Canada. Conducted by the Canadian Live Music Association, the research quantified the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of the live music sector, including the tourism and fiscal impact of the industry at the national level. 

J. Large discussed concerns about the potential impact of tariffs, particularly in the auto industry.  

10.
Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 8 a.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

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