BRACEBRIDGE’S CONVERGENCE: THE 4TH PILLAREconomies in Transition, The Ontario Rural Council

MARCH 26, 2009

Attract and retain manufacturing

and new economy jobs.

Become the retail hub for all of the

greater Muskoka District.

Increase investment in tourism

products, services, packaging andmarketing

MANUFACTURING

RETAIL/COMMERCIAL

TOURISM

2002 Economic

Development Strategic Plan

The branding strategy

GOAL:

Develop a graphic that can be easily used by anyone from the public or business sectors

Branding• Heart of Muskoka Branding

Strategy

• Drive traffic to website to promote lifestyle, provide information for residents, etc.

• Business Directory

• Community Partnership – businesses & community partners can utilize

Marketing & Promotion

Public Input Process

―Launch May 2008―Focus Groups June 2008―Group Submissions, On-line/Paper Surveys, Discussion Forum on-line, letters―Interviews with key stakeholders – developer, government, business, non-profit, education, etc.―Draft Plan (1) – July 2008―Final Draft Received by Council in October 2008―Public Open House November 2008―Adopted by Council in December 2008

Community Input 726 people participated in CONVERGENCE.

• The consultation plan included:

– On-line and hard copy surveys (417 public and 95 business owner surveys were completed);

– public open house (45 attendees);

– focus groups (126 attendees);

– Council/staff vision session (25 attendees); and

– submission of written briefs (13 submissions by organizations with hundreds of members).

“4 Pillars”

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PUBLIC INPUT

IMPLEMENTATION AND

MONITORING

GLOBAL AWARENESS

MISSION AND VISION

LOCAL SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

CRITICAL PATH AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives

1. A Vibrant, Prosperous and Economically Sustainable Community.

2. A Green, Mindful and Environmentally Sustainable Community.

3. An Engaged, Healthy and Socially Sustainable Community.

4. A Creative and Culturally Sustainable Community.

CommunicationsPlan

Corporate andDepartmental

Business Plans

AnnualAchievemen

tReport

CustomerService Plan

OfficialPlan

ZoningBy-law

MunicipalServicing By-law

CommunityAdjustment Plan

HumanResources Plan

Cultural MasterPlan

Community EventsAnd Festival

Strategy

RecreationMaster Plan

PerformanceManagement Plan

Operating andCapital Budget

Investment and Attraction Strategy

Environmental Protection

Policies

Community Adjustm

ent Plan

Community Adjustment Plan

New Targeted Investment Sectors include:

– Construction

– Green Technologies/Geo-tech

– Education Services

– Health Care Services

– Tourism & the Arts

Exciting Initiatives• Ongoing growth of the Rene M. Caisse

Memorial Theatre through new productions, e.g. Cottage Country Comedy Festival

• Chapel Gallery/Muskoka Arts & Crafts/Woodchester Villa

• Art in the Heart – arts “incubator” & new attraction for Downtown Bracebridge

• Festival & Event Strategy / Downtown Development Strategy

• Fibre Network

• Implementation of the CAP

THANK YOU