Economy

Recent Posts

Economic development working to attract, sustain and retain business in Cobourg, says manager

Northam Industrial Park

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

At the east end of Cobourg sits the Lucas Point Industrial Park. Across from the Cobourg Community Centre sits the Northam Industrial Park. Daniel Van Kampen and his team are responsible for looking after those industries and attracting new ones. He is the manager of economic development for the town of Cobourg. He also shares responsibility for bringing new retailers and services to the downtown and the rest of Cobourg. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , ,

Some optimism shines through despite gloom in Ontario Chamber report, says Port Hope CEO

Downtown Port Hope

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce released its annual report recently. Business confidence is low across the province. There are a host of issues facing a wide range of sectors across the business spectrum. Yet, amid all the doom and gloom, there is some limited optimism about the upcoming year. Brenda Whitehead, CEO of the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce, will give a local perspective on the mood of her members. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

Mayor says perfect storm hits as Port Hope council approved 6.9 percent increase for 2024 budget

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

It is budget time for local municipalities. Without exception, politicians, bureaucrats, and taxpayers sweat it out to come up with a solution for the annual budget. With more pressures than ever, it is a struggle to find a balance between affordability and services. In this interview, Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky outlines the decision by council to raise the levy by 6.9 percent. She outlines the complexity of trying to maintain services and address critical issues, while not creating fiscal hardship for taxpayers. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , ,

Workers should get more than $20 an hour to afford living in Northumberland, says group

Living Wage

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Currently, the minimum wage in Ontario is $16.55 per hour. But if you live in Northumberland County, that amount should be $20.60. That is what the Living Wage Network Ontario says. Recently, the Living Wage Network released its figures for 2023. It calculates how much it takes to live and work in one of 10 areas within Ontario. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , ,

Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Legislative agenda facing farmers

Northumberland County farm

Eric Gillespie, EKG Corporation

Lawyer Eric Gillespie reviews new regulations, policies, and legislation introduced by the Ontario government impacting farmland in this episode. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

County plans to create affordable housing specifically for workers if they promise to stay

workforce housing

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

While affordable housing remains a priority for all levels of government, recently, two important steps were taken locally. County council is creating a municipal body to build workforce housing. In this interview, you will hear the details explaining plans to build workforce housing and why affordable housing efforts are not cutting it. Originally aired: July 28, 2023

  Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , ,

Chambers of Commerce call on all three levels of government to address housing crisis

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce recently released a report calling on all three levels of government to tackle the Affordable Housing Crisis. Some people might wonder why a business organization is producing housing reports. Port Hope Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Brenda Whitehead will dive into that mystery in this interview. It has a lot to do with workers being unable to live in the communities where they work. This was not an issue in the past because people were expected to commute to jobs. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Municipality, neighbours, and Community Care respond after Colborne grocery store fire

Foodland fire Colborne

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A fire was called in on May 24, just before 5 a.m. The Foodland in Colborne was burning down. It would be devastating to the community as it was the only grocery store. Within no time, the residents responded. Offers for rides or to pick up groceries filled social media. Municipal staff jumped in to provide coordination. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

Chair of ad hoc committee provides another perspective on short-term rentals in township

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, the report from the ad hoc committee on short-term rentals in Alnwick-Haldimand Township was officially brought before the planning committee of council. Many delegates and council members spoke about the divisive nature of the issue and the need to get it right. Councillors deferred any action to give politicians and the public a chance to provide more input and consider the numerous delegations at the meeting. Have a listen and see what you think. Originally aired: May 26, 2023 Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

A-H Township short term rental operators, businesses seek changes to proposed bylaw

Short term rentals

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Municipalities across Northumberland County struggle to deal with short-term rentals. Those are the rental properties often associated with AirBnB or Verbo online platforms.

For some, renting a space, either a room or a house, is an excellent source of income. It can be a stimulant for the local economy. Others see it as a significant boost for tourism. Then, there are others who see it differently. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , ,