Economy

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In the face of recent struggles, Port Hope Chamber CEO says businesses remains optimistic about future

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Full interview:

Keeping the economy from collapsing at the same time stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a balancing act. It is complex, and it isn’t easy. Public health officials want to keep the lid on the spread of the virus until they can get needles in their arms. They hope to get on top of the virus before variants create even more problems. Last week, we heard from Dr. Ian Gemmill, the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health for the local health unit. Meanwhile, politicians and business owners are worried that we will be plunged into a recession or even a depression without sufficient economic activity. They worry it will take years before we will recover. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy, Politics

Local small business preparing for Christmas shopping season, says councillor

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Show:

The full interview with bonus material:

I don’t know about your neighbourhood, but where I live there are lots of Christmas decorations going up. On my social media, friends are posting pictures of decked-out trees already. If you go to the stores, the Christmas sections are looking pretty decimated. People seem really keen to get ready for the holidays. That is no surprise. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy, Politics

Housing prices rise in Northumberland County despite pandemic economy, says real estate association president

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Interview from the show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The average price of a house in Northumberland was about $620,000 in September. There are bidding wars going on right now for homes. When a home comes on the market, bids start almost right away. Before, it might have taken a couple of days for things to heat up. It’s crazy busy for agents. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy

Venture 13, police and local entrepreneur launch tool to fight pandemic

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As many of us brace for the possible second wave of the virus to hit, there are efforts across Northumberland looking at how we adjusting to the ongoing challenges we face. Today’s show looks at two aspects of the ways our community is adapting. When the pandemic first hit Northumberland during the lockdown in March, within a two-week period, Venture 13 pulled together a micro-manufacturing operation to create personal protective equipment for hospitals, senior’s homes, and others within the county. If that wasn’t enough, it was recently announced another innovative enterprise is helping to protect frontline emergency workers in the county. This new start-up company created a scanning device that is being used by police, firefighters, and paramedics to quickly determine if people have a fever – one of many signs a person is infected with COVID-19. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy

County economic task force delivers final recommendation, including mental health for workers

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More and better broadband. Access to Personal Protective Equipment. Building consumer confidence. Those were the first three recommendations by the Economic Recovery Task Force to county council back on June 4. A lot has happened since then. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economics, Economy, Politics

Small town retailers face unique challenges as Brighton-Cramahe Chamber responds

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One defining characteristic of the new reality under COVID-19 is everything is changing constantly. Press conference from leaders and health officials are daily touchstones. Announcements from local officials flag the tweaks being made to battle the pandemic and keep people safe and healthy. Peeling back those changes presents an unfolding story of how our community is being reshaped. Today’s stories are snapshots of those moving sands. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy

County economic task force recommends mask wearing mandatory in stores to build consumer confidence

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County Economic Development Director Dan Borowec co-chairs the Northumberland Economic Recovery Task Force with Brendan Cunneen, a well-respected retired businessman. Together they are working with representatives from all the various sectors of the local economy to figure out what is needed to help businesses restart during the pandemic. It is not an easy task and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Three recommendations were released on June 5 for immediate action as the committee continues to work toward a major report to be done later this summer. The recommendations went before Northumberland County Council on June 17, 2020. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Politics

Re-opening the economy a delicate balance, says local MPP

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The other day I was looking out my window only to see a local construction crew working on a roof. None of them were six feet apart. There was no physical distancing. The same day, I received an email from a national grocery chain heralding the expansion of hours, allowing more people into his company’s stores, along with the opening of meat counters and bakeries. Yet, scanning social media, there is a wave of people expressing their concerns that we are reopening too quickly. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Health, Politics

Port Hope economy resilient, says Chamber of Commerce CEO

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With the provincial government slowly trying to restart the economy, local businesses face numerous challenges. Some have already adapted, pivoting into the new limitations of physical distancing, pick up or delivery, and online commerce. Business organizations and lobby groups representing the various sectors, like small business, manufacturing, retail, tourism, play an increasingly vital role in helping through the transition. To give us another viewpoint on the local economy, I was pleased to speak with Port Hope Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Whitehead. She is working both locally and across the county with businesses and governments to support entrepreneurs as they navigate the maze of change taking place. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy

Northumberland tourism businesses responding to pandemic, says county manager

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Tourism is a major contributor to the regional economy. It brings $122 million to the county annually. And, while it is most obvious during the seasonal period between the Victoria Day weekend through to Thanksgiving, it sustains many related businesses. It directly employs about seven per cent of the county’s workforce. Just think about all the weekend events, Canada Day, festivals, and other attractions, not to forget the cottage rentals, marinas and boat launches that give recreational opportunities to a wide variety of people from across Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Tourism