HAPPY TOONIES:
Ted- Happy about grand re-opening ceremony on Saturday at the Kids' Safety Village
Janice—Happy about 3 family Birthdays over the week end
Hilda—Her daughter lives 2 blocks from the area where Hurricane struck near Ottawa. She is okay.
Kim - missed Kids Safety Village grand re-opening . She was judging the Butter Tarts at the Oshawa Butter Tarts Festival.
Robert Kippling—Reminded us of Giant book sale at the Oshawa Public Library on Sep. 27 – 30, 2018 put on by the Friends of The Library
Bob Stewart -Happy about her daughter playing great Hockey.
Lennis- Happy about re-opening ceremony on Saturday at the Kids' Safety Village going very well. Thanks everyone..
Linda – Echoed the same
Devon – Happy & congratulated Lennis on the grend re-opening ceremony on Saturday at the Kids' Safety Village
Dave A – Congratulations to Lennis for all of the years of service to the Kids' Safety Village and setting us up for 18 more years. Kids Safety is a true legacy. Thanks to Lennis.
Kris -paid happy buck as going away for 2weeks
ROTARY MOMENT
None tonight.
GUEST SPEAKERS : Simon Gill , the Manager of Business Development and Investment Attraction with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department
Simon Gill was introduced by Dave Andrews.
Although we are a few days before October begins, Rotary's Monthly theme for October is Economic and Community Development. The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns.
While we serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in six key areas to maximize our impact - The 6 Areas of Focus. And one of these areas of focus is Economic and community development .
Every year, in the District newsletter, I ask our fellow Rotarians in our Rotary District in Southern Ontario :What is your Rotary Club doing to support this important Rotary Foundation Area of Focus?
Rotarians promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions, primarily in other parts of the world. We support investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities. The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable and long term economic improvements in their communities and livelihoods.
But what do we know about econmic development right here in Durham Region?
And in keeping with our Rotary Theme for October, let's find out. Here to tell us what is happening in Durham Region, is Simon Gill - the Manager of Business Development and Investment Attraction with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department .
Simon leads the implementation of the Region’s Foreign Direct Investment Attraction strategy, by marketing and providing advisory services to foreign companies seeking to invest in the Region, contributing to job creation and economic growth and prosperity in Durham.
Speaker’s Remarks:
Durham Region is open for business!
Durham's land, location, people, infrastructure and quality of life choices make the region the clear choice for investment. Durham Region is situated at the eastern gateway of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and offers prime access to Canada's largest market of more than five million people and 135 million more American and Canadian consumers.
Durham Region is home to many creative and prosperous businesses, which are moving the region forward as the place to be for business. Durham Region is a growing business centre. Agri-business, manufacturing, and energy, environment and engineering (EN3) are some of Durham's key sectors. Durham Region plays an important role in Ontario's film sector. This includes filming television series, feature films, music videos, commercials and more . Durham Region is the right choice for a bright future.
Key economic sectors in Durham Region include: Agri-business; Energy, environment and engineering (EN3); Health sciences; Innovative technology; Manufacturing; Tourism
The overall goal of the Economic Development and Tourism Division's Investment Attraction team is to attract new foreign direct investment to Durham. The overall goal of our Economic Development and Tourism Division's Investment Attraction team is to attract new foreign direct investment to Durham Region.
To achieve this goal, the Investment Attraction team focuses on three priority areas: Raise awareness of Durham Region internationally by participating in sector-specific investment missions to key markets; Implement a content management system to handle new inquiries and track investment leads Strengthen the Region's value proposition by connecting with local foreign-owned companies and sharing current investment promotion activities.
In 2012, Durham Regional Council approved the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy for Economic Development that identified Brazil, China, Germany and the United States as 'focus markets' with the goal of attracting new investment to Durham Region. The team works with the division's other business units to create and update investment attraction marketing material, and partners with other departments as well as local partners to host incoming missions and delegations.
There are a number of programs to attract and grow business: Federal and provincial incentives and Regional incentives.
Several partner agencies in Durham Region collaborate to deliver exceptional service to the business community. They include: Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE); Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade; Clarington Board of Trade; Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce; Scugog Chamber of Commerce; Uxbridge Chamber of Commerce; Whitby Chamber of Commerce; Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC); York Durham Headwaters; Durham College's Corporate Training Services; Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC); Durham Workforce Authority; Export Development Canada (EDC); Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council (LDIPC)
Durham Region is made up of eight local area municipalities ranging from large, urban centres to small towns, hamlets and villages. The cities of Oshawa and Pickering; towns of Ajax and Whitby; Municipality of Clarington; and the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge all offer a highly skilled labour force, diverse economic base, superior quality of life and competitive business costs
The transportation infrastructure is made up of an integrated network of provincial and Regional highways, cargo-loading and deep-sea shipping ports. These are connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway, transcontinental and commuter railway lines, as well as local and international airports.
Durham Region's experienced and educated labour force supports all levels of industry and corporate requirements. Durham's workers have the talent to compete in today's knowledge-driven economy. The growing population and young demographic ensures investment prospects have access to a labour pool for years to come.
The 2017-2021 Durham Region Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan has been developed to focus on priority actions that will: Grow and strengthen the economy of the region by supporting the existing business community and attracting new investment and investors; Increase the number and diversity of locally based employment opportunities; Build the regional talent pool to ensure a ready supply of labour for existing and future investors; Support the next generation of business leaders Engage with academia and enhance business-sector linkages; Market Durham as a quality place in which to live, work and invest.
Durham has a highly skilled and specialized labour force. Established expertise in training and attracting the next generation of professionals has been nurtured and enhanced with high-level post-secondary programming, research and development, as well as quality employers. Employers benefit from access to the workforce, competitive wages and tax system. The overall labour costs in Canada are also amongst the lowest in the G7.
For more information, please go to https://www.durham.ca/en/doing-business/global-presence.aspx
Simon was thanked by Past District Governor Ted Morrison..
Simon Gill with President Linda Porritt and Treasurer Devon Biddle
Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Go online at www.rotary.org go to the Rotary Club Locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.