A new economic development plan for Lennox and Addington County in 2023/2024 was unveiled at the May 8 council meeting for Loyalist Township.

Stephen Paul, director of Community Development Services for the county, presented the plan, outlining five main priorities going forward. The county is looking at focusing on business coaching, investment attraction, people attraction, tourism, and housing.

Business Coaching

Digital marketing, website services, and inventory control are areas in which Lennox and Addington County is offering support to local small businesses. Paul said the county has received positive feedback from local businesses about the services they provide.

Investment Attraction

Lennox and Addington County is partnered with Ontario East Economic Development, Invest Ontario, Invest Canada, The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade These four groups help the county bring in companies and investors who want to help develop Lennox and Addington, Paul said, adding that the strong relationship they have with these groups goes a long way.

"It really is all about partners, and we develop really strong partners with, really, these four groups," he said. "We stay connected, and any sort of lead generation, or site selection will come through any one of these four partners."

People Attraction

Since 2016, Lennox and Addington County has seen a 5.4 per cent population increase. The county expects to see even more growth going forward with the current residential development in Loyalist Township, as well as many industrial jobs set to be created within the next three to four years. Lennox and Addington also has "people attraction" campaigns looking into immigration support;Paul said immigration can also translate into more new businesses in the area.

Tourism

Paul said Lennox and Addington County has been promoting all facets of the community on their tourism website Naturally L&A. They're rolling out new promotional material and are already seeing their online numbers increase. With 403,000 views on their tourism site last year, the county expects even more this year.

Lennox and Addington County estimates that it will have more funds to promote tourism in the area this year. With funding from Lennox and Addington Federation of Agriculture, Paul said this will give them an opportunity to do some "agri-tourism" work.

Housing

Lennox and Addington County will be looking into new projects they can fund and develop themselves, as well as the private sector and not-for-profits. Paul said the county is also looking into affordable housing options with the Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington Social Services group (PELASS.)

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