Manager of Economic Development Steve Furness says Miller, Dickinson and Blais Inc. was hired by the city to prepare this report which lists Owen Sound’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and develop an action plan to overcome the city’s economic challenges.
Furness says the draft report will also be used to create a five year development strategy with a list of objectives.
Furness says they need to update their strategy because energy costs are changing the dynamics of the economy.
The report itself has many recommendations including increasing the number of residents and businesses in the city’s downtown as well financial incentives for facade improvements.
Some of the other recommendations include: the city try and attract more residential developments to the downtown and harbour areas, develop a harbourfront strategy and the city to speak with Georgian College officials about expanding the number of programs offered at the Owen Sound campus.
Furness says the next step after tonight will be more public consultations with the business community because they have not seen the draft report and what is being recommended in it.
