The Economic Development Department is responsible for the attraction of new businesses to the Town of Bracebridge as well as encouraging the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the community.
The Town's Director of Economic Development provides supervision, management, and advice to the staff at the Muskoka Small Business Centre that is operated under contract with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Additionally, the Director provides assistance to the BIA President in administering, supervising and supporting the BIA Coordinator.
Staff in the Department are available to work closely with businesses in order to bring together the right tools necessary that best suit business and community needs before, during, and after establishing an operation in Bracebridge.
Economic Development Advisory Committee and Working Groups
The Economic Development Department provides administrative support and works in cooperation with the Town's Economic Development Advisory Committee and working subcommittees including the Community Promotions Team and others as may be established through CAP implementation.
Business Retention & Expansion
On-going business retention and expansion initiatives of the Economic Development Department are:
- Visitations and meetings with local businesses in an effort to establish good working relationship and respond to inquiries.
- Participation in various business-focused events such as the Chamber of Commerce BusinessAfter Hours, MSBC Bridges to Better Business, BIA member meetings, etc.
- Responding to inquiries for information about lands, buildings, and leasable spaces within a 24-hour period.
- Responding to other business inquiries about subsidies or other government/agency programs with a 3-day period.
- Making referrals to other agencies, programs or departments about a myriad of issues – human resources (primarily training and recruitment), planning, building or land use approvals processes, servicing – water, sewer, hydro, etc.
- Promoting existing tools/resources available to/for business.
- Active involvement with the MSBC's Small Business Centre Advisory Committee.
Business Attraction
On-going business attraction initiatives of the Economic Development Department are to:
- Respond to requests for information about lands, buildings, lease spaces within 24-hours.
- Determine appropriate methods to promote the community as a location to invest based upon priority sectors identified in the CAP/CBSP.
- Promote the community outside of the area for business investment.
- Respond to other business inquiries about subsidies or other government/agency programs.
- Make referrals to other agencies, programs or departments about a myriad of issues – humanresources, planning, building or land use approvals processes, servicing –water, sewer, hydro, etc.
- Increase the level of resources available through the web to assist in site selection activities.
Business Investment – Aftercare (i.e. after the investment has been made)
On-going business investment initiatives of the Economic Development Department are to:
- Continue to follow up with new business owners, developers, Georgian, Nipissing, etc.
- Continue to assist in creating new partnerships for Georgian and Nipissing.
- Promote the Educational Services Sector in Bracebridge/Muskoka.
- Assist developers in identifying opportunities for business partnerships or other types of business and community relationships to assist in making developments viable in the community.
Community Promotion
On-going community promotion initiatives of the Economic Development Department are to:
- Continue working with the BIA, Chamber through the Community Promotion Team with initiatives to include web enhancement and further development of theheartofmuskoka.com program.
- Promotion and marketing targeted at new investment in the sectors identified in the Community Adjustment Plan.
- Continue to assist Mayor and CAO with Physician Recruitment and Medical School students.
- Manage the Promotion Items Policy (pins, shirts, flags, etc) that is used promote the area and help welcome visitors for sporting events, conferences or when groups are travelling outside of Muskoka.
Festival & Events/Sports Tourism
The Economic Development Department works with a number of Festival and Event organizers through the Bracebridge Festival Network and through the Event Tourism Grant program. The staff work collaboratively with the Culture and Recreation Department in attracting and hosting sporting events such as the Bracebridge Triathlon.
Arts & Culture Development
The Department administers the Art in the Heart Program that is a partnership with the Town, the Muskoka Small Business Centre and Muskoka Arts and Craft. The program has created a new attraction for visitors to Downtown Bracebridge and is focused on developing the entrepreneurial side of new and emerging artists. The group has worked with over 50 artists in the past three years.
Staff participate in local, regional and national events and organizations that foster culture and innovation.