Council approved the report at their Monday night meeting.
The report prepared by the Miller, Dickinson and Blais Inc. outlines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting Owen Sound’s ability to develop it’s economy.
The report highlights the consulting groups findings within the city that include: the city has a lack of affordable housing and the public safety in the downtown is deteriorating; the city has a strong local economy, the city has the opportunity to expand post secondary education but is facing the threat of a slowing US economy and rising Canadian Dollar.
Councillor Jim McManaman says the report provides information he believes council already knew but it’s always good to have someone outside the community who is an expert in the area to look at it.
McManaman says there are many recommendations and one of the keys is to focus on regional economic development.
Councillor Deb Haswell says there are great points in the report including the recommendations on the downtown and the harbourfront strategy.
Haswell says it’s always good to see the threats and opportunities facing Owen Sound and have the ability to take a step back to see what the city can do better.
A public consultation period now begins to get the feedback from city residents on their opinion of the report and the recommendations coming out of it.
Both McManaman and Haswell agree public consultation is a very important step in this process.
Council will then have the final report of the economic development strategy brought forward to vote on in November.
