Current Projects
Dufferin County Meat Processing Feasibility Analysis
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With thanks from OMAFRA and a RED Grant, we just wrapped the first Phase of our Meat Processing Feasibility Study. We retained Mallot Creek Group to assist us in determining the extent for a need for a meat processing facility in Dufferin County, as well as the best way to move forward to launch one in Dufferin County.
We hope to be moving into Phase 2 of that project very soon.
SWIFT
The SWIFT Network is intended to enhance the prosperity and overall wellbeing of communities within the Reion by subsidizing private Telecom Service Providers’ (TSPs) network infrastructure costs so they may provide service to residents, businesses, public service organizations, First Nations and other user groups and ultimately provide equitable access to ubiquitous fibre optic structure.
Initial costs of the project are estimated at $269 Million which will be funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario in the amount of $180 Million, a series of counties and munincipalities who have collectively committed to fund $12.8 Million of the initial costs; the Niagara Region, Town of Caledon and City of Orillia will fund an additional $5.2 Million; and remaining initial costs covered by TSPs.
Recently, SWIFT announced the procurement of five projects in Dufferin County to commence in 2021. To learn more about this project, check out our SWIFT project on Join in Dufferin (SWIFT Rural Broadband | Dufferin County (joinindufferin.com)) or the SWIFT website (Home - SWIFT (swiftruralbroadband.ca)).
Tourism Strategy and Action Plan
In June 2020, the County embarked on a Tourism Strategy and Action Plan in coordination with the Town of Orangeville. The County worked with Bannikin Travel and Tourism over the past six months to conduct background research, and numerous community engagement activities to establish a Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for 2021-2026. The Strategy was adopted by Council in December 2020.
Rural Resiliency Task Force
In response to COVID-19, Dufferin County Economic Development have implemented a COVID-19 Task Force to assist our businesses through the pandemic, and to recover post-pandemic. The Action Plan was passed at County Council, and continues to evolve as we progress through the pandemic.
Food for Thought: Growing Business InDufferin
Dufferin County recently conducted an Agriculture and Food Business Retention and Expansion project. Staff visited 164 businesses over the course of five months in an effort to get a sense of the existing business climate in Dufferin County as it pertains to Agriculture and Food. The data has been compiled into a final report, and staff are now working on implementing the Agriculture and Food Action Plan.
Join In Dufferin
Join In Dufferin is the County of Dufferin’s online engagement platform. The site allows people to participate in various projects that are happening in the community. At the same time, it allows us to understand any concerns being raised and encourages communication in an open, informal and welcoming environment.
Agriculture Advisory Group
The Economic Development function at Dufferin County have recently announced the launch of the Agriculture Advisory Group. This group provides coordination of and communication between organizations providing an agriculture function. The Agriculture Advisory Group acts as the voice of the agricultural community at the Dufferin County table. The Agricultural Advisory Group will have the opportunity to provide comments from an agricultural lens on new policy or existing issues that may have impact on the agriculture industry within Dufferin County. In one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario, Dufferin County strives to ensure that the agriculture industry continues to not only be supported but flourish amidst rapid population growth.
Business Retention + Expansion Project: Professional, Scientific and Technological Sector
Dufferin County, the Town of Orangeville and the Town of Shelburne recently completed a PST BR+E for the entire County. The report is attached below and staff have started working on their respective Action Plans.
Commute Ontario
Dufferin County has partnered with Commute Ontario to help in their goal to reduce 20,000,000 KM of vehicle travel in the province of Ontario by 2021.
This initiative aims to encourage commuters to try sustainable, healthy travel options.
View the attached PDF for more information, or visit the Commute Ontario website.