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Township of Severn is excited to announce the completion of our first Economic Development Strategy. Council identified the need for an economic strategy as part of their 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan to enhance our capacity to attract and retain businesses. This project was funded in part by a $25,000 grant received from Ontario's Rural Economic Development (RED) program.
The completed strategy will enable Council, partners, the local business community, and stakeholders to work together to champion economic development in Severn. The strategy will help to inform policy, operational, and budget decisions; and provide a structure to guide our economic development initiatives.
Throughout the process, Council prioritized the voice of our community, as we wanted to better understand your current challenges and hear your ideas. This has given us the information we need to respond to those challenges, and how we can support improvements to our programs, policies, and future investments to benefit both those who currently call Severn home and those that we will welcome to our community in the future. This plan will help us prepare for the growth that is coming, while also contributing to a stronger and more sustainable local economy.
-Mayor Mike Burkett
The strategy highlights Severn’s primary strengths: its advantageous location to several prominent communities and major highways, such as Highway's 11, 12, and 400 with connections to Orillia, Barrie, and the Greater Toronto Area, its proximity to quality post-secondary institutions including Lakehead University and Georgian College, access to nature and various water and land-based recreational opportunities; all complemented by our unique heritage and charming and welcoming communities.
This strategy aims to leverage those assets and identify additional opportunities by working with our local businesses, stakeholders, and partners to implement five economic priorities.
More specifically, these priorities include:
- Increase support of local businesses.
- Balance Severn’s tax base to support a diverse community.
- Enhance and promote local tourism.
- Match lifestyle amenities with residential growth.
- Safeguard community interests in relation to the aggregate industry.
To learn more about how these priorities will be realized view the final strategy at the link below or visit: severn.ca/eds.
View the final Economic Development Strategy
Severn will be recruiting an Economic Development Officer to lead the implementation of the strategy.
Contact us to share your comments on the strategy. You can also visit our Business Support page to learn more about business resources currently available to our community.
Staff contact
Tracy Roxborough
Communications Officer
Phone: 705-325-2315 x249
Email Tracy