Economic development strategy OK'd

Mountain View County council has approved an economic development strategy (EDS) for 2018-2021. The move came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.

Council approved the 2018-2021 strategic plan in May. One of the organizational priorities listed in that plan is the development and adoption of an economic development strategy.

“The plan is intended to help focus Mountain View County’s activities and priorities over the next three years,” administration said in a briefing note to council.

“Estimated deliverables are multi-year while the outcomes are meant to have a long-lasting impact and influence far beyond the three-year lifespan of this document. However, it is imperative to recognize that regular updates are necessary to adapt to new realities and initiatives.”

Christopher Atchison, director of legislative, community and agricultural services, presented and outlined the EDS to council.

The new EDS consists of four principal objectives: business growth potential, business retention and expansion, business attraction, and building relationships.

Accompanying each of the objectives are potential action items that will “particularly strengthen and work towards the achievement of that objective.”

Regarding business growth potential, the EDS states, in part, “The purpose of this priority will be to develop further action items as required to minimize the possible impact that decreased linear taxation may have on the overall goal of providing high quality services within the community and to understand how existing policy and direction will influence the future potential of non-residential growth in Mountain View County.”

Potential action items under business growth potential include the following:

• Review of linear taxation gap in comparison with non-residential growth potential.
• Review of non-residential/non-agricultural land absorption rates.
• Review of opportunities for future airport expansion including a comparison between the economic feasibility, and benefits and disadvantages between private or public development.
• Identification of conflicts with statutory documents to achieve increases in non-residential growth potential.
• Review existing opportunities in Mountain View County for value-added revenue streams.

Regarding business retention and expansion, the EDS states, in part, that, “identified in Mountain View County’s strategic plan, council has a strong preference on building the county from within. This is solidified in Council’s desire to focus economic development on retaining and expanding existing businesses.

“In conversations with existing businesses located in Mountain View County, the same desire to be engaged and supported was expressed.”

Potential action items under business retention and expansion include the following:

• Increased marketing of existing businesses within Mountain View County.
• Creation of workshop series/networking sessions.
• Ongoing site tours and conversations.
• Growing home-based businesses.
• Facilitation of future growth possibilities within the county.

Regarding business attraction, the EDS states, in part, that, “although the priority for business growth is focused on existing industry, council recognizes that there are a number of locations within Mountain View County that are ideal for business attraction.

“In particular, utilizing the various business parks and regional airport lots within the county tend to be appealing to new business opportunities.”

Potential action items under business attraction include the following:

• Marketing of existing business park and airport lots available.
• Future airport development.
• Review of business incentives, off-site levies, and policy surrounding developer plays for development.
• Review of opportunity for small business incubators within Mountain View County.
• Review of internal policies to ensure efficiencies for businesses relocating to business parks and airports is maximized.
• Review of current development permit processes, policies and timelines.
• Review of internal capacity to deal with large development processes.

Regarding building relationships, the EDS states, in part, that, “Mountain View County has a strong focus on building and maintaining effective relationships with various partners. These relationships will be important in marketing Mountain View County as a region and attracting innovative and sustainable businesses.

“Further, through the inter-municipal collaboration process, council is desirous of ensuring that urban partners continue to grow while promoting diverse opportunities for businesses in both rural and urban settings.”

Potential action items under building relationships includes the following:

• Connect with local developers and realtors to understand any challenges with the MVC market and identify possible solutions.
• Continue established communication lines with existing businesses.
• Establish internal procedures for effective communication between Economic Development and Planning and Development.
• Continue to participate in and further enhance Mountain View corridor’s regional economic development initiatives.

Councillors unanimously passed a motion approving the new EDS. Coun. Duncan Milne did not attend the Sept. 26 council meeting.