Rebecca Ellerdiem, Community & Business Development Advisor for the City of Owen Sound, shared the new Community Profile both through a presentation supplemented with a printed Community Profile brochure. She shared that dozens of local collaborators helped to develop the profile. The Community Profile is a web-first approach that seeks to tell stories through the people in our community; these are real people sharing their real lives.
Committee Member Dave Shorey entered the room at 8:35 a.m.
Rebecca Ellerdiem shared that the print edition includes high-level data points including QR codes to direct readers to the website for access to the most recent data. The design reinforces the Owen Sound branding and key messages. The digital edition is meant to replicate browsing through the profile. She explained that the graph displayed is generated through the city's Spotlight subscription and pulls together the demographics overview of the City itself and a 30 minute and a 60 minute radius.
She shared that the Community Profile was printed in Owen Sound at Qwik Print highlighting the incredible resources here locally. The City has big city amenities, with small town charm. She spoke to all the different resources in the area and how it's within walkable distance; similar to what you would get living in a city centre.
Dave Shorey, Executive Director of Georgian College Owen Sound Campus and Committee Member, voiced that the work done by the City is excellent with dynamic data using the tools on the website. He shared that he thought this will help to profile the community in new ways. Taking a perspective from within Georgian College, he emphasized that many of the students are working in town helping to fund their education which in turn helps the community.
Councillor Ian Boddy entered the room at 8:37 a.m.
Andrea Matrosovs shared excitement about the strong economic development network.
Shannon Campbell, Strategic and Economic Development Officer for the Township of Georgian Bluffs, shared that the Township is putting a strong focus on connecting and building relationships with local businesses.
She shared two upcoming initiatives including Business in the Bluffs; a digital series of videos highlighting local businesses, and Experience the Bluffs; a new tourism blog. She shared that both of these initiatives are helping to create strong relationships within the community and will help share their story with a wider audience. In regards to Business in the Bluffs, it was noted that they have received a lot of great feedback from businesses in the area and that there are no extra costs to the community as this is all done in house. She shared one of the most recent highlights being Dual Acres, a local business offering horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, which is just outside of Shallow lake, had just over 6000 views on Facebook.
The Experience the Bluffs, a new tourism blog, is an initiative that is shared on Georgian Bluffs' social media platforms, but particularly on Facebook and their website. She shared an example of the self-guided waterfall tour. This initiative will profile volunteer organizations and groups in the community.
Other things noted were more opportunities for community connection including the Kemble Maple Tour which is largely organized by community members, and the Township Family Fun Fair which happened at the Kemble Arena on April 12th with well-over 700 people in attendance. The Township of Georgian Bluffs has also fostered a partnership with Cobble Beach with their community night market starting this Monday May 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. This event will occur the first Monday of every month from May to October, going along with the cruise nights, and will be called Markets and Motors.
Kim Wingrove, CAO, shared the wonderful community initiative, #TrashTagGB, which has been highlighted on social media. She noted that it shows the community spirit which is an important part of an economic development campaign.