Agriculture is highlighted in Norfolk County’s new economic development strategy, currently under review by Council. Among the recommendations addressing agriculture are the following:
Help Entrepreneurs to Expand Wealth and Prosperity
Enhance municipal regulations, processes and communication
- Review policies, identify opportunities and streamline processes
- Explore housing alternatives for employees
- Review municipal agriculture property taxes
Support existing growth businesses
- Connect businesses to funding and other supports
- Support young entrepreneurs and small business
- Assist businesses with their opportunities and challenges through regular visitations
- Enhance access to high-speed communications
- Prioritize food processing, tech-related agriculture, culinary and sustainable tourism
- Explore business incubators and investment platforms
Attract emerging industries
- Establish a startup protocol for new businesses
- Prioritize food processors that value our terroir and use Norfolk County bounty
- Encourage development with high-paying jobs and workers who live in Norfolk County
- Build an agri-food showcase and culinary-tourism centre
- Explore new solutions to energy generation, water and waste management
- Promote On-Farm Diversified Uses of appropriate size and scale
Welcome Youth and Newcomers to Grow the Population and Workforce
Connect our workforce to job opportunities
- Consult major employers and assist in addressing labour shortages
- Attract more post-secondary education programs
- Collaborate on job recruitment drives
- Build on relationships with existing workers, including seasonal farm employees
Connect workers with housing and amenities
- Develop opportunities for housing options that employees, youth, retirees and newcomers can afford
- Use technology to expand public transit and other services
- Link public transit to major cities
Attract new residents
- Encourage youth to return to work in Norfolk County
- Collaborate with immigration programs to attract new employees
For more information about the Economic Development Strategy, visit norfolkbusiness.ca/strategy.
