Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy Phase 1 available for public comment

Waterloo Region, Ontario - The first phase of the new Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy is now available for public comment.

Development of the Strategy is being co-ordinated jointly by the Region of Waterloo, the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich and Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. and guided by an advisory committee of community leaders. Building on the spirit of collaboration for which this region is known is a key factor in the creation of this strategy. 

“Now is the time to develop a vision for the community that is inspiring, motivational and actionable. We need to be able to tell the world what makes Waterloo Region a compelling and exciting place to live and do business,” said Gerry Remers, President and COO of Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc. and Chair of the Economic Development Strategy Advisory Committee. “Having a region wide economic development strategy will support and enable the realization of this vision.” 

Phase 1, the draft Foundations Report is now available for public comment. This report includes an in-depth analysis of local and national economic trends, sector specific data and important strategic implications and conclusions. A summary of the extensive input from the stakeholder workshops as well as the key themes that emerged is also available.  To access these reports and to learn more about the strategy, members of the community are encouraged to visit the project website at www.wreds.ca. The Steering Committee is also requesting the public’s feedback, which will help inform the next phase of the project. 

The public are also invited provide their input on the next phase of the strategy at a “drop-in” open house, on May 15 at the Waterloo Region Museum from 4 – 8 p.m. (with a presentation at 7 p.m.) 

At a joint meeting today of Regional and Area Municipal Councillors, staff provided an update on the process to develop a new vision and strategic framework for economic development in Waterloo Region. The development of the strategy is now well under way, building on the extensive background work and consultation that took place earlier this year. A draft of the Strategy is anticipated to be presented to Regional and Municipal Councils in June 2014.  

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Project Contacts: 

Mike Murray, CAO, Region of Waterloo, mmurray@regionofwaterloo.ca 

Gary Dyke, CAO, City of Cambridge, dykeg@cambridge.ca 

Jeff Willmer, CAO, City of Kitchener, jeff.willmer@kitchener.ca 

Tim Anderson, CAO, City of Waterloo, tim.anderson@waterloo.ca 

Grant Whittington, CAO, Township of Wilmot, grant.whittington@wilmot.ca 

Roger Mordue, CAO, Township of North Dumfries, rmordue@northdumfries.ca 

Willis McLaughlin, CAO, Township of Wellesley, wmclaughlin@wellesley.ca 

David Brenneman, CAO, Township of Woolwich, dbrenneman@woolwich.ca