EDO begins new role by connecting with community
Briar Kelly is excited about the potential for growth in Clearview. Kelly joined the township last month in the newly created role of community economic development officer.
In her previous role with the Small Business Enterprise Centre in Barrie, Kelly worked with entrepreneurs on everything from hiring to understanding market trends, to help them start and grow their businesses. When the Small Business Centre was acquired by the Barrie Economic Development Department, she continued to work with regional Chambers of Commerce, BIAs and the County of Simcoe Economic Development team.
“Our department was a conduit for businesses to access provincial services,” said Kelly. “After 14 years of moving around this ecosystem, I understand how to help businesses and community groups grow and succeed. I’ll be building on those relationships.”
Clearview council approved funding for the new economic development officer in last year’s budget. Kelly’s position is a two-year contract. She’ll be responsible for facilitating, promoting, and assisting in community and economic development with a focus on growth that supports sustainability and protects the things that make Clearview special.
“Clearview is like any other municipality undergoing substantial growth,” she said. “The role of the economic development officer is to work with all the different groups to make sure everyone is moving in the same direction. Council has put a lot of work into developing a strong strategic plan and now we have to make the vision a reality.”
Kelly’s first goal in the new job is to connect with people in the community and identify what is being done well, and what are the challenges facing local businesses and community groups.
“We have a few different things planned,” she said. “We’ll be launching a survey project to connect with businesses in the first quarter of 2025. We’re working with the Clearview
Chamber of Commerce to launch a series of Business After 5 events and we’re developing a newsletter to highlight the resources available.”
This first phase is critical she says, “We can’t fix what we don’t know.”
In the mid- to long-term, Kelly will work with regional partners to attract new investment to Clearview. Initially, she’ll be spending most of her time at the Administration Centre in Stayner, but eventually her days will be split between the office and time spent outin the community.
Kelly grew up in Springwater Township and studied Business Administration at Georgian College. She says Clearview is similar to the community she grew up in, with roots in farming and a strong volunteer culture.
“[We] will be working to bring all the pieces together and keep Clearview growing in a way that protects the things that make this area amazing,” said Kelly.
