Central Almaguin Economic Development Association

P.O. Box 1120 * Sundridge ON * P0A 1Z0 Phone (705) 384-5819 * Fax (705) 384-5892

Chair Ron Bennison: [email protected] Vice Chair Les Mahon: [email protected]

May 15, 2013 The Township of Strong Municipal Office

Present: Sundridge – Elgin Schneider, Lawrie Vincer, Bill deVries Strong – Merlyn Snow, John Newstead South River – Jim Coleman, Jeff Dickerson for Les Mahon Machar –Doug Maeck, Ron Bennison

Absent: Les Mahon

Guests: Ron Begin, FedNor Carole Mantha, MNDM Mike Anthony, Sofa Communications (8:00 – 9:25) Jason Sanderson, Sofa Communications (8:00 – 9:25) Gary McLaren, Near North Industrial Nghe Tran, Ha’s Restaurant Peter Kidd, Kidd’s Home Hardware Building Centre

Staff Present: Angela Edison – Recording Secretary Laura Johnston – Economic Development Intern

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 am by Chair Ron Bennison.

General Discussion:

Status of the holdback was clarified for the minutes. Since the initial Sofa Quote was for $8000 less $1000 if they were hired for the Marketing portion, CAEDA chose to be billed for 90% of the full $8000 ($7200) with a hold back of 10% if Sofa was not selected. Since Sofa was in fact selected, CAEDA has a credit of $200 going forward with the marketing phase. Sofa went through the given timeline preferred for phase 1. Johnston is to secure a venue for the public forum as soon as possible in order to promote and confirm attendees. Both Sofa and business rep’s felt CAEDA should have a few members attend to answer questions. There will be a small questionnaire to fill out at the public forum, in order to help Sofa formulate the survey with fine tuned questions. Sofa suggested the public forum might be a good opportunity to unveil the logo, Committee agreed. June 12 or 13 was decided, subject to venue availability. Businesses are excited to use the new regional logo in support of their own local branding. In order to proceed with the Marketing, Sofa requires a Point Person be assigned to make key decisions on the Committee’s behalf in between monthly scheduled meetings, to be decided soon. The survey’s format was discussed. Many business owners in the area are not online often, so the individual municipal offices will be responsible for sending out paper versions, while Sofa designs an add to run on the radio and/or newspaper to inform all interested people to proceed online. The current website is not ideal for an online survey; Sofa suggested a temporary landing page linked to the site where business owners and the public can be directed to complete the survey. It was decided after much thought and opinions that the online survey should require contact information to track the results and hold those with opinions accountable, thus controlling the quality of information received. The costs to CAEDA and municipal offices for proceeding with the survey include the forum venue, refreshments, advertisement and mailings. Restructuring the website was discussed. The Committee agreed the site must appeal to both business and tourists. Tran suggested a resource the business community had been developing: Almaguin’s Photography Project, a not for profit photo depository for the area. Mostly natural photos but are requesting event photos as events happen this season. Sofa broached the subject of business sponsorship of the EDO Intern Project and how to introduce it. Sofa requested budget figures in order to customize phase 2 deliverables. Bennison agreed and advised they would be available for the June 19 meeting.

Resolution 22-13 Moved by: Jim Coleman Seconded by: John Newstead Be it resolved that this committee does hereby approve awarding the contract to Sofa Communications in the amount of $6,500.00 in relation to the Phase 1 Marketing Aspect. FURTHER THAT this committee does hereby approve the travel expenses of $175 per additional meeting to have at least two Sofa staff present. Carried

Kidd requested guidance as to how to promote the use of the EDO intern and explain CAEDA as the support behind her. Sofa and Mantha explained CAEDA is a multipurpose Committee for Economic Development with a subsidiary project to assist individual businesses find opportunities and available funding. The EDO subsidiary is the part that will need support from the business community to maintain. Having the EDO staff is the key to maintaining the marketing of the area, and the liaison between the Committee and the bulk of the businesses. Both the Committee and the Business Reps agreed the current goal was to get people travelling to the area to stay and for those who are here to be happy here. Kidd’s advice to maintain interest in the Committee was to set an obtainable goal and accomplish it before moving on to the next obtainable goal.

Bennison informed the Committee that due to his recovery process he will step down as Chair. As Les Mahon was not present to volunteer, Bill deVries accepted the position for the remainder of the 2013 term. Bennison then advised the Committee of staffing changes within the Machar office that is resulting in the Recording Secretary position coming back to the Committee. Snow suggested the Strong office would appreciate taking the position back, as it would compliment the financial responsibility nicely.

Resolution 23-13 Moved by: Doug Maeck Seconded by: Jim Coleman Be it resolved that this committee does hereby appoint Bill deVries as Chair for the remainder of the 2013 term. Carried

Resolution 24-13 Moved by: Jeff Dickerson Seconded by: Elgin Schneider Be it resolved that this committee does hereby appoint Caitlin Haggart as recording secretary for the remainder of the 2013 Term. Carried

Johnston explained her Intern Report. The Labour Market Group in North Bay would like to see more partnership recognition in the events CAEDA is organizing, as they have funded a significant amount towards them. A Women’s Business Show like that in Parry Sound was discussed to set up for this area in the fall. McLaren spoke up to suggest a Business Trade Show to co- ordinate with the Sundridge Sunflower Festival in 2014. Mantha suggested there could be $10,000 funding available for expanding an existing festival under Celebrate Ontario, if it were considered a two day event.

Begin presented to the Committee a similar situation in which the Sturgeon Falls community received funding to hire Begin as their EDO then after the funding expired they came together to pay his EDO salary with the proceeds of various events held. The presentation included a package of member introductions and roles, mission statement, goals and objectives, and sponsorship levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Supporter. The project took 1.5 years to the success shown. News clippings were circulated to show achievements. CAEDA has to hit the ground running on this project, because the funding won’t come again.

The business reps thanked the Committee for the seat at the table, and assured that Kidd and Tran would be present steadily for the coming year. Kidd, Tran and McLaren exited 10:20 a.m.

Committee discussed the RFPs received for the Asset Inventory, Gap Analysis and Market Study. Committee came up with two consultants to interview, again with the stipulation “Subject to Funding”. Hiring Committee is to conduct interviews before the June 19 meeting. Mantha confirmed the project is entitled to $10,000 x 4 municipalities x 2 projects = $80,000 being 75% of the project. Municipalities are responsible for 10% of the funding leaving the option for secondary funding from possibly NECO. Correspondence:

Letter from NOHFC acknowledging the Committee’s application requesting funding from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation towards Community Development and Business Support Internship (Year 2 Intern). Project has been viewed as potentially eligible and should proceed for further review.

Adoption of Minutes:

Resolution 25-13 Moved by: Lawrie Vincer Seconded by: Elgin Schneider Be it resolved that this committee does hereby adopt the minutes of April 17, 2013 and May 1, 2013 as presented. Carried

Approve CAEDA Expenses:

Resolution 26-13 Moved by: Merlyn Snow Seconded by: Lawrie Vincer Be it resolved that this committee does hereby approve expenses between April 18 and May 15, 2013 in the amount of $1,727.88, and authorize the administrator to issue cheques for the same. Carried

New Business:

The suggestion that the Municipality of Magnetawan would be interested in joining CAEDA was introduced to Maeck at the last Spring Municipal Meeting. The Committee would consider if they received a Letter of Intent from their Council, otherwise there are too many unknowns to discuss it in any length.

Adjournment:

Resolution 27-13 Moved by: Merlyn Snow Seconded by: Lawrie Vincer Be it resolved that this committee does hereby adjourn at 10:47 a.m. until the next regular meeting June 19, 2013 or at the call of the chair @ 8:00 am at the Township of Machar Municipal Office. Carried

……………………………….. ………………………………………. Chair, Ron Bennison Recording Secretary, Angela Edison