Clearview recruiting for economic development committee

The Township of Clearview is putting a call out for volunteer members to sit on a newly formed Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC).
Seats are open to a representative of the larger business sector, a business representative of the smaller business sector, and a representative of the Clearview Chamber of Commerce and/or Creemore Business Improvement Area (BIA). The committee will also include a member of council and the mayor will act as chair.
The committee will be asked to make recommendations to council on issues relating to economic development and investment opportunities to aid in the growth and progress of the municipality.
Its mandate, as set out in the terms of reference approved by council in October, contains a lofty list of goals including the creation and implementation of a comprehensive economic development plan, identifying economic development impediments and opportunities, business attraction and retention, pandemic recovery, sourcing funding and liaising with the community. This will be done while maintaining focus on five key pillars from the Clearview strategic plan: recreation and culture; identity-marketing-promotion; economic activity; quality of life; and governance. It is noted that the terms of reference may change with the approval of council, depending on the expertise of the members.
An inactive economic development committee was dissolved in 2018 during an administrative restructuring that assessed the usefulness and accountability of all volunteer boards and committees.
The recreation of an economic development advisory committee was championed by Councillor Thom Paterson as part of a larger goal to prioritize comprehensive long-term planning for the township. An Economic Development Committee of the Whole was agreed to by council during last year’s budget deliberations, which would have included all members of council. The idea morphed into what is currently being advertised.
Paterson said having people from outside of council with expertise advising government, is a good thing.
“I think we should do more of that,” said Paterson. “I think the success of the Clearview Economic Development Advisory Committee is entirely dependent on the people we recruit.”
He said he doesn’t have any confidence that the committee will be able to work beyond year-by-year planning, rather than taking a long-term view.
He said he’s pleased that the committee is happening, but adds, “There are big holes” such as environmental resilience, shifting a local agri-based economy to be more green, and tangible performance management.
“Those are some of the holes I hope the committee fills,” said Paterson. “Our planning at the council level tends to be helter skelter.”
Paterson said he hasn’t been asked to be on the committee due to “personal politics.”
“I’m waiting to see if this is a game-changer for the township or just another reasonable effort. I’m sure some good discussions will come out of it. This has to be a game-changer to merit the type of effort that we are going to put into it,” said Paterson. “We need to recruit some really top notch people, and there are some here.”
The committee term is four years and is concurrent with the term of council.
Applications are being accepted via email to the Director Legislative Services/Clerk, Pamela Fettes, at pfettes@clearview.ca or by mail or in-person at 217 Gideon Street, Box 200, Stayner ON, L0M 1S0. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan.15.
Anyone interested is encouraged to read the terms of reference and access an application at www.clearview.ca/government-committees/committees/economic-development-advisory-committee.