Gord McKay
Posted by Bill Molesworth
on May 02, 2012
Sue said Gord had been born in Gander, Newfoundland and had worked for the Government, the Bank of Montreal and a sports supply company. He and Kathy have been married 35 years and they moved here 11 years ago. Since then he's been active on many Boards and Committees including Out of the Cold and Huronia Foundation for the Arts and has served as Councillor and for the last 18 months as Mayor.
Gord said he and Kathy came here 11 years ago and were struck by how attractice King St. was and the friendlly reception they received in the stores they visited. He's known ever since that this is a place we do not want to change but, it can't stay the same and there are challenges. The Town is not growing - only 225 new people in 15 years and development and real estate sales are slow. The population is aging faster than the national average and the youth population is dropping which means fewer people are working and less money being spent. The drop in the number of jobs in town has been going on for a while but the recession made it worse, thought there are bright spots. Manufacturing has lost 300 jobs but health care has added 130. While we can value the quality of life we have to focus on economic development.
The NSDFC has been working hard and has made a good and thorough analysis of our situation which has been the basis for the initiative the 4 mayors are pursuing - working together to develop a strategy and a vision that reaches beyond boundaries and around the shoreline, searching for a common bond and an economy that is knowledge based with manufacturing, year round tourism and a strong health care component.
In early 2012 the 4 Councils approved the strategy though their commitment was limited to $5,000.00 each. With that a web site is being developed that will list opportunities and promote the region.
A summit series has begun with the one in Feb. that focused on health care - what will the health care situation be in 20 years and what will we have to do to achieve that. It was a first step in becoming proactive and starting to manage the economy rather than just reacting. A prosperity summit will be held on Sept. 25 to which all stakeholders will be invited. Tiny is working on an agricultural summit, Tay on tourism
But the private sector needs to be engaged. The private and public sectors working together. On May 29 an Economic Development Corporation will be struck and work will start on a long term platform for planning that will reduce the unintended effects of politics and the political cycle. Midland is also trying to reduce red tape, a Renew Midland effort is being launched, similar to what was developed in Australia but perhaps the first in Canada. Contacts are being made with Georgian College and a public consultation will be held on Unimen and the gaming opportunities. A consultation on a signature event is being held, the marine operators have met a couple of times to pursue co-operative advertising and Parks and Rec are developing a Passport to Downtown for boaters visiting the docks.
It's not just growth Gord is pursuing; he says he's looking to maintain the quality of life we find here. Rotary speaks to Community building and he's looking for help from the Club.
Gord said he and Kathy came here 11 years ago and were struck by how attractice King St. was and the friendlly reception they received in the stores they visited. He's known ever since that this is a place we do not want to change but, it can't stay the same and there are challenges. The Town is not growing - only 225 new people in 15 years and development and real estate sales are slow. The population is aging faster than the national average and the youth population is dropping which means fewer people are working and less money being spent. The drop in the number of jobs in town has been going on for a while but the recession made it worse, thought there are bright spots. Manufacturing has lost 300 jobs but health care has added 130. While we can value the quality of life we have to focus on economic development.
The NSDFC has been working hard and has made a good and thorough analysis of our situation which has been the basis for the initiative the 4 mayors are pursuing - working together to develop a strategy and a vision that reaches beyond boundaries and around the shoreline, searching for a common bond and an economy that is knowledge based with manufacturing, year round tourism and a strong health care component.
In early 2012 the 4 Councils approved the strategy though their commitment was limited to $5,000.00 each. With that a web site is being developed that will list opportunities and promote the region.
A summit series has begun with the one in Feb. that focused on health care - what will the health care situation be in 20 years and what will we have to do to achieve that. It was a first step in becoming proactive and starting to manage the economy rather than just reacting. A prosperity summit will be held on Sept. 25 to which all stakeholders will be invited. Tiny is working on an agricultural summit, Tay on tourism
But the private sector needs to be engaged. The private and public sectors working together. On May 29 an Economic Development Corporation will be struck and work will start on a long term platform for planning that will reduce the unintended effects of politics and the political cycle. Midland is also trying to reduce red tape, a Renew Midland effort is being launched, similar to what was developed in Australia but perhaps the first in Canada. Contacts are being made with Georgian College and a public consultation will be held on Unimen and the gaming opportunities. A consultation on a signature event is being held, the marine operators have met a couple of times to pursue co-operative advertising and Parks and Rec are developing a Passport to Downtown for boaters visiting the docks.
It's not just growth Gord is pursuing; he says he's looking to maintain the quality of life we find here. Rotary speaks to Community building and he's looking for help from the Club.