Collingwood, Ontario

Amin: “We’re building on our strengths and trying to better define what Collingwood stands for. And we’re about to launch an Economic Development Action Plan to promote that across Ontario and Canada. Lots of young entrepreneurs are coming to Collingwood to grow their business. We’re looking at ways of supporting that growing technology cluster through angel investors and opportunities in that regard - how we might be able to create a value chain around companies like Agnora and MacLean Engineering. “We have a bit of everything, but our intention, now, is to be more focused and investment- ready. And getting the word out; people who aren’t acquainted with Collingwood don’t know what kind of community we have and what we offer. We want to inspire our young people to stay in Collingwood or return after post- secondary education. The other motivation is for us to continue to deliver service through a diverse economy with a balance of industrial, commercial, and residential. Of course, the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital is a huge part of our community. It’s been here over 115 years and is our biggest employer – over 400 people – and is very much a part of our social fabric. The healthy lifestyle is a great attribute of Collingwood and we encourage our broader public sector partners like the county and the hospital to help us promote that healthy living. “We’re about to kick into high gear our Official Plan review, to take a fresh look at how we promote sustainable growth, not only relating to housing and commercial and industrial development, but how we build a complete community, factoring in environmental considerations and healthy lifestyle. One concern we have in Collingwood is affordability. We want to build in a more diverse housing type, in a systematic, evidence-based way, through the Official Plan review; not simply accepting everything that is presented to us. We’re going to have a much more deliberate, strategic, medium