N EWS PROPOSAL ISSUED TO RENEW REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
THE NEWS
2024 to 2029. During that time the PRCDC has developed a brand marketing strategy, with a supporting information website, to promote commercial class and industrial class properties in the region available for interested developers, set up a concierge service to coordinate support requests from businesses and investors, developed programs and projects to support regional and local tourism sectors development and promotion, worked with local businesses on promoting work-based training programs to recruit skilled labour, worked with local school districts and other education insti- tutions to align post-secondary study and training programs with local employment needs. The PRCDC has also worked on other programs and projects related to economic development. The regional economic development agency wants UCPR council to consider renewing the economic development stra- tegy and action plan before it reaches the end of its current five-year term and also agree to revisions to both the existing and future strategic plan that will focus on seve- ral new priorities that the PRCDC considers
essential for the region. “This will help our region remain compe- titive,” said Candie, adding that the strategy revisions will allow Prescott and Russell “to respond to changing and challenging economic conditions, build a stronger and more diversified local economy, and create long-term opportunities for future generations.” Some of the proposed revisions to the economic development action plan include creating an “aerospace and defence tech- nology hub” involving local high-tech sector firms that, according to the revised strategy report, would provide Prescott and Russell “integrate into the rapidly growing Mirabel aerospace hub and Canada’s defence supply chain.” Another key part of the revised econo- mic action plan involves transforming the Destination Prescott and Russell tourism promotion project into a destination mar- keting program that will “strengthen the region’s economy, tourism sector, and long- term competitiveness.” Other revisions include further strengthe- ning of the Prescott and Russell marketing brand strategy to help counter the local and regional impact of the current and future
U.S. tariffs against a variety of Canadian export sectors. The goal is to support local businesses while attracting new investment into the region, including those that are looking at other markets besides the United States. “These (U.S. tariff) disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of rural areas like ours,” stated the action plan report, “which have historically relied on cross- border markets and supply chains.” Increased support and development of Prescott and Russell’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors is another key point in the revised strategic development plan proposal. “A renewed economic development stra- tegy is an investment in the region’s ability to anticipate change,” said Candie, “diversify the economic base, and capitalize on new emerging opportunities.” UCPR council voted to receive and approve the updated report on the eco- nomic development strategic action plan, along with the latest quarterly reports on its achievements and to further review both the action plan and the PRCDC proposal for renewal of the current plan before the end of its current term.
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN news@eap.on.ca
The mayors of Prescott and Russell have to decide whether or not renewing the regional economic development strategy is worthwhile. A delegation of officials from the Société de développement communautaire de Pres- cott and/et Russell Community Develop- ment Corporation (SDCPRCDC) presented the United Counties of Prescott and Russell council (UCPR) on August 26 with an upda- ted progress report on the current five-year regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan (EDSAP) along with a propo- sal for renewing the strategy and expanding it to meet the future economic challenges for the Prescott and Russell region. “As we all know, strategic and sustainable and sustained investment is essential,” said John Candie, PRCDC executive director, “in creating jobs, attracting new businesses, supporting local businesses, strengthening existing businesses, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.” The current regional economic develop- ment action plan covers the period between
TARNOWSKI HIGHLIGHTS INFRASTRUCTURE, FINANCIAL PRESSURES FOLLOWING AMO CONFERENCE
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
Russell Township. Infrastructure, housing, municipal finances and governance were among the major themes discussed at this year’s conference. One of Tarnowski’s main takeaways was the need for municipalities to receive more consistent financial support from the pro- vincial government. “Municipalities are challenged, fiscally challenged, financially,” he said. “We’re looking for some stable support from the province.” Tarnowski noted that municipalities are being asked to meet housing and growth targets established by provincial and federal governments, while also being responsible for funding the infrastructure required to support that growth. While municipalities welcome grants and other forms of government assistance, he said they would benefit from funding they can depend on from year to year. “We need some more kind of consistent and regular support,” he said. According to Tarnowski, affordability is a concern shared by many municipalities, a “red flag” notice on the opening plans for the new Prescott and Russell Residence on Spence Street in Hawkesbury. The new retirement and long-term care facility was supposed to open in Spring 2024 but a number of delays in construction and other areas have occurred to postpone both the official opening of the facility and the reloca- tion of tenants from the current Residence located on Cartier Boulevard. Chief Administrator Stephane Parisien told council that the new Residence now
particularly as inflation has increased costs since the COVID-19 pandemic. Municipalities are also required to set money aside for future infrastructure replacement through asset management policies. While he considers that good fiscal policy, Tarnowski said the combination of rising costs and long-term infrastructure requirements is making municipal budgets increasingly difficult to manage. Russell Township, however, is in a com- paratively strong position because of its continued residential, industrial and com- mercial growth. “We’re very fortunate here in Russell Township that we have growth supporting that,” he said. “So that’s helped us a lot. And so we’re in a very good position. But there are many municipalities that are really struggling right now.” Tarnowski also used the conference to explore approaches that could benefit Russell Township, particularly as the muni- cipality studies options for local shared transportation. He said he spoke with representa- tives from other municipalities, including has its occupancy permit from the Town of Hawkesbury. But opening of the facility and moving the tenants in is still delayed because the provincial Ministry of Long Term Care is still not satisfied with the facility’s “nurse alert call” system. The ministry has given the UCPR another three weeks to make the nurse alert call system compliant with ministry demands. Parisien gave council “an educational guess” that the new PR Residence should be open for its tenants by the end of November
Kemptville, to learn how they are addressing transportation challenges for residents tra- velling to local jobs, medical appointments and other services. Wastewater infrastructure was another priority. Russell Township is working with the Nation Municipality on infrastructure needs and used two delegations at AMO, one with the Ministry of Rural Affairs and another with the Ministry of Infrastructure, to advocate for support. Looking ahead, Tarnowski said the municipality’s immediate priority is preparing for the upcoming municipal election and encouraging residents to become informed and participate. Following AMO, the township will also continue strengthening relationships with neighbouring municipalities and advocating for financial support for major infrastructure projects. Tarnowski credited Glengarry-Prescott- Russell MPP Stéphane Sarrazin for helping Russell Township secure significant grant support in 2025, but said the municipality’s continued growth means there will remain a need for additional funding. “at the latest, or possibly earlier.” Administration will provide UCPR council with continuing updates on progress with getting a more definite opening date for the facility. The UCPR social services department is working on the logistics plan now for relo- cating all tenants of the Cartier Boulevard facility to their new homes in the Spence Street facility. “We will also get you (mayors) a look (inside) at the new facility before everyone else,” said Parisien.
Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski says stable provincial funding for muni- cipalities was one of the key messages he brought home from this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference. The annual conference, held Aug. 16 to 19, brought together municipal leaders from across Ontario to discuss issues facing communities and meet with provincial representatives. For Tarnowski, the conference was also an opportunity for local and regional mayors to compare challenges, share solutions and build relationships. “It’s a great opportunity for all local and regional mayors to get together,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to understand what’s happening, the realities in different municipalities, share our challenges and our solutions.” Tarnowski attended three delegations during the conference, meeting directly with ministry staff to discuss issues affecting
QUESTIONS ARISE ON OPENING SCHEDULE FOR NEW PR RESIDENCE
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN news@eap.on.ca
The delays on the official opening of the new Prescott and Russell (PR) Residence has prompted some questions. During an August 26 review of the latest financial update report for the United Coun- ties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), Mayor Mike Tarnowski of Russell Township asked UCPR administration for more details about
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