How We Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategic
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How We Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan for Superior East and Neighbouring Communities Final Strategy May 2019 Page Left Blank How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 1 Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of the Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan ....................................................... 9 Research Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 10 Background & Stakeholder Engagement .............................................................................. 13 Economic Analysis and Target Sector Assessment – Key Findings ................................................... 13 Target Sector Trends and Best Practices .......................................................................................... 14 Commercial Gap Assessment – Key Findings ................................................................................... 28 One-on-One Interviews – Key Findings ............................................................................................ 27 Random Sample Business Survey – Key Findings ............................................................................. 28 Focus Group Discussions – Key Findings .......................................................................................... 34 SOARR Assessment and Strategic Objectives ........................................................................ 37 SOARR Assessment ........................................................................................................................... 37 Sectors for Economic Growth ........................................................................................................... 41 Guiding Principles ............................................................................................................................. 46 Strategic Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 46 Action and Implementation Plan ......................................................................................... 49 Thinking about Outputs and Outcomes ........................................................................................... 50 Structure of the Action Plan ............................................................................................................. 51 Appendix ............................................................................................................................. 69 Economic Base Analysis and Trends ................................................................................................. 70 Commercial Gap Analysis ................................................................................................................. 91 Detailed One-on-One Interview Analysis ......................................................................................... 99 Detailed Business Satisfaction Survey Analysis .............................................................................. 102 Community Workshop Summary ................................................................................................... 107 Cover image: Top photo credit: Algoma Country Bottom photos: Provided by Twp of Hornepayne How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 2 [Section Divider] How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 3 Executive Summary The purpose of How We Prosper Together is a Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan that explains how, collectively, the Superior East Region and neighbouring communities and partners can work together toward a shared set of strategic goals that are backed by a solid and detailed action plan. The plan is the product of a regional partnership of communities, First Nation and non-First Nation, that includes Brunswick House First Nation, CDEC Dubreuilville, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, Hornepayne EDC, Township of Manitouwadge, Michipicoten First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Municipality of Wawa, Pic Mobert First Nation, Township of Chapleau, Township of Dubreuilville, Township of Hornepayne, Township of White River, Wawa EDC, White River EDC, and Wahkohtowin Dev. G. P. Inc. The partnership underpinning this Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan is extensive and represents a first of its kind for the region. The process for developing How We Prosper Together followed three phases, . Where are we now? A comprehensive assessment of the region’s current economic situation and emerging trends. Where do we want to go? The assessment, based on stakeholder consultations and analysis of background materials and research, of where the community wants to go culminating in a strengths, opportunities, aspirations, risks and results (SOARR) assessment. How do we get there? The action plan that looks critically at where are we now and where do we want to go in order to chart a course for collaboration on economic development projects and initiatives. How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 4 How We Prosper Together SOARR Analysis Framework Summary Strengths Opportunities Aspirations Risks Results What are our best What do we How will we know What can we build What do we need possible future ultimately want to we are on? to be aware of? opportunities? achieve? succeeding? Regional Strong Regional Economic Housing Supply Ageing Increased Housing Networks Development Availability Office population; Youth Labour & Resident Outmigration Attraction Diversification Natural Resource Environmental Assets Increased Increased Sustainability Population Marketing Energy Housing Value-Added Rail & Road Independence Mismatch Forestry Infrastructure Increased Diversification Local Energy Businesses Leading Sectors: Value our Diverse Mining, forestry, Partnerships Heritage tourism, and Boom-Bust Cycles Resident & Business government Community Collaboration Satisfaction services. Building The final phase, “How do we get there?” took a deep dive into key themes that emerged during consultations, and found best practices in developing the forestry, mining, energy, and tourism sectors. It then developed strategic objectives, which represent two key themes of outcomes for the Superior East Region: . Regional Collaboration: The interconnections between communities are expected to strengthen, enhancing collaboration through mutual empowerment and increased economies of scale. This represents a positive feedback cycle that emerges as earlier collaborations are rewarded by specific gains across the region. Regional Self-Sufficiency: The region will become more self-sufficient, producing more goods, services, and resources locally to avoid economic leakage and promote import substitution. This represents a stronger, interconnected economy that leverages its resources and assets for local benefit and export. How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 5 Strategic Objectives and Critical Outcomes for Superior East Region Strategic Objective 1: Strategic Objective 2: Focus on Workforce Development Focus on Economic Diversification Regional Collaboration & Regional Self-Sufficiency Strategic Objective 3: Strategic Objective 4: Focus on Economic Infrastructure Focus on Capacity Building & Community Development A comprehensive action plan, which included action items tied to each strategic objective, was developed as a roadmap to achieve regional goals. The following framework is an overview of those actions and their timelines for completion. How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 6 Figure 1 Action Plan Framework Overview How we Prosper Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy Page 7 Introduction The Superior East Region may be best known for its metal and mineral deposits that have wide-reaching economic benefits both nationally and locally; however, its single greatest asset is its collaborative spirit and strong regional networks. Geographically, it covers a vast area comprised of First Nations and non- First Nations communities, with its southernmost and northernmost communities over 300 kilometres from each other. The region is unified by its unique Northern Ontario character, where each community shares natural resource-based economy, tightly knit sense of community, true winters, and deeply-rooted relationships with the land. To an outsider, its communities may seem isolated by bluffs, canyons, lakes, and bush, but they are well connected by a shared spirit of industriousness and entrepreneurialism. Culturally, the region enjoys a distinct diversity of Cree, Ojibwe, Métis, French, and English influence. Many townships in the region are francophone. There is much to be discovered by a visitor. Communities in Superior East are most economically successful when the mining and forestry industries are healthy but are also familiar with resilience when the economy slows. The region is connected to the rest of the province and country via the Trans-Canada highway and the CN and CP railways. Mining is presently in a boom phase, and optimism in the region is tangible. The forestry and forest product sector is similarly active and benefits from local knowledge, having a long history as