Economic Development Strategy 2005-2008

Economic Development Association of NL (EDANL) Conference: May 9-11, 2007

Click here to view photos and presentations from the May 9-11 Conference

Grand Falls-Windsor is a safe, family-oriented and business friendly community, the hub of the Exploits Valley in harmony with its neighbouring communities.

The Economic Development Department has adopted the above Vision Statement to guide the overall efforts and objectives of the Town’s development efforts.  This Vision reflects the Town’s current status as well as our goals in economic development and all areas.  Its main principles – quality of life and regional leadership – are strong themes reflected in our economic development strategy “Gateway to the New Millennium”. 

Organizing for economic development means anticipating and preparing for challenges. The first challenge for the Economic Development Department is to implement the “Gateway” Strategy.  This includes the Plan’s recommendations on strategic goals, strategies and ways to measure progress.  

The Department has adopted the comprehensive and ambitious three-year Work Plan for Community Economic Development outlined in the Report.  This Work Plan divides activities into the five functional areas. 

1. Economic Infrastructure Planning

These activities are those that must be accomplished before economic development can take place – they are the foundation on which future economic development will take place.  This includes development of specific strategies for Grand Falls-Windsor’s priority economic sectors - Tourism, Education, Forestry, Service, Retail, and Information Technology – as well as a review of municipal development by-laws and ordinances, and other activities.

2. Business Development, Marketing & Promotion

These activities focus on the attraction of new business and the marketing of existing businesses and the community as a whole.  This includes a municipal marketing strategy similar to the regional tourism marketing strategy created for the E.V.T.A. in 1995, as well as promotional materials, local awareness activities, and specific events such as an economic development conference for “Twin Town” communities.

3. Business Community Cooperation

These activities focus on keeping the business community informed and meeting their needs.  This includes meetings with groups such as the EVEDC, the Chamber of Commerce, the area MHA and provincial Cabinet.  It also features organizing workshops and seminars for the local business community, a communications program featuring a quarterly economic development newsletter, an economic development show on the local Cable channel, and a business awards program.

4. Regional Cooperation

With Grand Falls-Windsor’s stature in the region, this function plays a key role in our economic development efforts.  Active participation on the EVEDC and support for regional economic development projects (such as the Exploits Manufacturing Initiative, the dimension stone industry, and the mining sector) are important components of this part of the Action Plan.

5. Human & Financial Resources

To implement the Economic Development Strategy, Council hired a full-time Director of Economic Development and a Promotions Coordinator.  These two positions were effective January 1^st, 1999 and will be maintained for the duration of the Strategy.  The Department was relocated to the Exploits Valley Center for Economic Development on the second floor of the Post Office building on High Street.

Council is the catalyst for economic development.

The Grand Falls-Windsor Town Council’s role in economic development is to provide a strong two-way link with the EVEDC and the rest of Economic Zone 12 using all available resources to foster, develop and support business growth directly within Grand Falls-Windsor.  The Town is responsible for developing promotional materials and undertaking business prospecting pertaining to our unique development strategies.  The Town will also deliver, facilitate and implement programs and services developed by the Zone Board to promote entrepreneurship and support to existing businesses.

In general terms the Town Council will perform the functions and provide the services needed for economic growth and development in Grand Falls-Windsor.  The EVEDC will augment the Town’s activities and provide a mechanism for regional planning, coordination, marketing and resource sharing.

Council will foster partnerships with other communities in the Exploits region and with the EVEDC.  Council must continue to recognize that economic viability of neighbouring communities will support continued growth in Grand Falls-Windsor.  Grand Falls-Windsor’s strength as a community will help all of the Exploits region achieve the desired economic and employment growth.