Corridor Advances Voice of Rural Businesses

For the first time ever, the City has commenced preparation of a “rural economic development strategy”.  The strategy will be important for the Corridor – how can the City support existing businesses and new growth though land use planing rules, infrastructure investments and City led economic development activities.

To coordinate with commencement of the City project and to help the Corridor bring the voice of businesses located in rural Ottawa to the City, the Corridor and the Village business associations organized a “fireside chat” between international rural economic development expert Peter Kenyon (who was in Ottawa for a conference so we gave him a call) and Steven Willis the City’s General Manager of Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development.

Three rural Councillors and 30 business representatives from across Ottawa heard new ideas from the international expert and Ottawa’s plans from the General Manager.    The Corridor business association will continue to work with the City and our neighbour associations to ensure the City understands and plans to act on local business challenges and opportunities.