The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg

Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting

MINUTES

-
Thompson Goossens Accountants Boardroom
21 Oxford Street, Tillsonburg
ATTENDANCE:
  • Suzanne Renken
  • Dane Willson
  • Councillor Bob Parsons
  • Deb Gilvesy, Mayor
  • Lisa Gilvesy
  • Andrew Burns
  • Randy Thornton
  • Gurvir Hans
  • Randi-Lee Bain
  • Jesse Goossens
  • Kirby Heckford
  • Mark Renaud, Executive Director, Tillsonburg BIA
Regrets:
  • Steve Spanjers
Staff:
  • Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner
  • Margaret Puhr, Administrative Assistant
Regrets:
  • Kyle Pratt, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Laura Pickersgill, Executive Assistant

1.
Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • Resolution #1
    Moved By:Councillor Parsons
    Seconded By:Suzanne Renken

    THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of Tuesday, June 11, 2024, be adopted.

    Carried

3.
 Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

 

No disclosures of pecuniary interest were declared.

4.
Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - EDAC_May14_2024 - English.pdf
  • Resolution #2
    Moved By:Randi-Lee Bain
    Seconded By:Suzanne Renken

    THAT the minutes of the Economic Development Advisory Committee of May 14, 2024, be approved.

    Carried

5.
Presentations

 

5.1
Ingersoll Boundary Expansion

 

M. Graves presented the Town of Ingersoll's recent boundary adjustment process of approximately 1,600 acres. It was recommended that when approaching boundary adjustment proposals that advantages for both parties involved be highlighted in the proposal. It was suggested that taxation sharing is very important when benefitting both sides. The importance of building respect, collaboration and participation when acquiring lands was discussed. 

Opportunity was provided for members to ask questions.

The following resolution was amended at the July 9, 2024 Economic Development Committee meeting.

  • Resolution #3
    Moved By:Mark Renaud
    Seconded By:Randy Thornton

    THAT the Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee requests to present at a future meeting of Council to discuss potential boundary expansion options for the Town of Tillsonburg along with next steps including potential infrastructure requirements: for water, sewer, roads, transportation and the airport. 

    Carried

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Monthly Activity Update

This item has attachments. 
1.Monthly_Activity_Update-EDM(June2024).pdf

C. Panschow provided an update on the monthly activity update.

Opportunity was provided for members to ask questions.

  • Resolution #4
    Moved By:Jesse Goossens
    Seconded By:Randy Thornton

    THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends that video communication be prepared and shared with the community regarding the Bridge Street Re-imagination project by the Bridge Street Task Force to help the public better understand the project. 

    Carried
  • Resolution #5
    Moved By:Suzanne Renken
    Seconded By:Kirby Heckford

    THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends to Council that a more robust social media policy be established to provide more proactive communications, particularly to counter inaccuracies on social media, as possible through existing or new resources. 

    Carried

6.2
ARU Video

 

C. Panschow will circulate the link to the ARU video after the meeting.

7.
Boundary Adjustment

 

8.
Community Organization Updates

 

8.1
Downtown Business Improvement Association

 

8.1.1
Report from BIA Chair

This item has attachments. 
1.ECDEV TDCC June Executive Summary from the DTBIA 2024 (1).pdf

M. Renaud provided an overview of the report and the agenda for the upcoming Turtlefest event.

8.2
Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce

 

8.2.1
Report from Executive Director

This item has attachments. 
1.June 11 2024 _ Report to EDAC _ Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce.pdf

S. Renken provided an overview of the report and introduced Ashley Edwards as the new CEO for the Chamber.

8.3
Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Area Association of Realtors

 

8.3.1
Monthly Statistics

This item has attachments. 
1.Tillsonburg EDAC Monthly Report - MAY 2024.pdf

These statistics were provided as information.

9.
Round Table

 

An overview of the Ontario Government’s SWODF funding announcement on June 10 was provided.  There were four announcements across Oxford County with one being Armtec’s new facility in Tillsonburg.  Originally, it was anticipated that another local manufacturing announcement would be included, but it was pushed back to another date. As an aside, Armtec is still ramping up their hiring and looking for more employees. 

The Cirque Italia event was very successful.

The Multi-Service Centre Job Fair hosted 248 job seekers, 25 employers and received positive feedback.

The entrepreneurial pop-up event was informative however participation remained low.

10.
Next Meeting

 

July 9, 2024 12:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 
  • Resolution #6
    Moved By:Kirby Heckford
    Seconded By:Andrew Burns

    THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of Tuesday, June 11, 2024 be adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

    Carried
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