RENFREW COUNTY (Pembroke) — In an effort to ensure the future sustainability of the County of Renfrew’s business, agriculture, tourism, commercial and manufacturing sectors, an economic task force has been created by the County’s Development and Property department. As part of the County of Renfrew’s declaration of an emergency, the Renfrew County Economic Task Force was created to engage business, community and political leaders to begin the essential task of mitigating the financial implications Coronavirus is having on people, businesses and municipalities.
“The health and safety of residents and staff has been our first priority as the COVID-19 crisis deepens,” said Warden Debbie Robinson. “We must now also direct our efforts at addressing the economic impacts to individuals, businesses and communities created by this Pandemic, to ensure our economic sustainability as we navigate through the crisis and afterwards.”
Business sector representatives will be recruited from across the County including manufacturing, retail, tourism, agriculture and forestry. Local municipal, business and community organization representatives and provincial and federal resources will also be engaged as required to assist the Task Force. “We must develop strategies and action plans now to ensure an economic future for residents, businesses and institutions and for our youth,” stated Robert Sweet, Chair of the Development & Property Committee and a member of the Task Force.
According to Task Force Chair and the appointed Economic Recovery Coordinator, Craig Kelley, Director of Development and Property, the Task Force will consider three phases of efforts to guide our economic future: Stabilization, Rebuilding and Growth. “County Economic Development staff continue to assist and advise businesses and are maintaining information and links to government support programs available to businesses and individuals at the County Economic Development website www.InvestRenfrewCounty.com.” Mr. Kelley advised. “While many of these programs have been announced, very few are presently taking applications as government works through the details of program deployment.”
“County Economic Development staff recommend that you check the website regularly for updates,” he added. Businesses will soon receive a survey to assist economic development services providing the Renfrew County Economic Task Force vital information in order to do the first assessment of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The business impact survey will also be available on www.InvestRenfrewCounty.com and all business owners and managers are encouraged to respond to the survey.
