Central Almaguin Economic Development Association

P.O. Box 1120 * Sundridge ON * P0A 1Z0

Phone (705) 384-5819 Fax (705) 384- 5892

Chair: Merlyn Snow: Merlyn.snow@sympatico.ca Vice Chair: Ron Bennison: rbennison@vianet.ca

July 28^th, 2011 – SPECIAL MEETING: 9:15am – 10:20am

Township of Strong Municipal Office

Present: Strong- Merlyn Snow

Sundridge- Elgin Schneider, Bill de Vries

South River- Jim Coleman

Machar- Doug Maeck, Ron Bennison

Absent: John Newstead, Les Mahon, Betty Barnes

Guests: Tara Hamilton, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Ron Begin, FedNor

Staff Present: Caitlin Unger, Recording Secretary

Ron Begin and Tara Hamilton facilitated the special meeting to plan for the application process for funding the Economic Development Officer position and signage/promotion over three years, through FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Begin began with asking the group about the EDO/Promotion Budget and brainstorming the distribution of funds, i.e: salary, office expenses, travel fees, and capital component of signage (landscaping, maintaining a common look and feel to solidify the Central Almaguin Area).

Each Municipality shared their contribution for the EDO and Signage:

• Sundridge:
• EDO: $5000/$5000/$5000 = $15,000
• Signage $3000
• Strong:
• EDO: $10,000/$10,000/$10,000 = $30,000
• Signage: $2000
• South River:
• EDO: $3000/$6000/$6000 = $15,000
• Signage: $5000
• Machar:
• EDO: $5000/$7000/$7000 = $19,000
• Signage: $5000
• Grand Total: $94,000

Begin discussed how much they expected it would cost overall for an EDO including:

• Wages/Benefits: $150,000 ($50,000/year)
• Office/Supplies: $30,000 ($10,000/year)
• Travel and Training: $30,000 ($10,000/year)
• Grand Total: $210,000

Hamilton reminded the group of the NCIR program which could supply the group with up to $50,000 ($10,000 per area per ask), which could be used for training.

Discussion moved to promotion and signage, projected expenses include:

• Design of Signage: $10,000
• Berms – Central Signage: $125,000
• Berm: prominent, hilly, landscaped area along four lane highway that identifies and promotes the upcoming area as "Central Almaguin".
• Generic Municipal Signage: $50,000
• Pull Banners & Trade Show Display: $15,000
• Other Promotional Materials: $10,000
• Grand Total: $210,000

Overall Budget = $420,000 to request for funding for over 3 years ($140,000/year)

The Township of Strong is to represent CAEDA when filling out the application. Once phase one of the application is received, FedNor must respond in three business days if the applicant is to proceed to phase two of the application.

Additional discussion surrounded administration support for the EDO and the chain of command. An Action Plan will have to be created to delegate projects.