This initiative was a Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) project that was customized to support the Severn community. It applied a structured, action-orientated, and community-based approach to business and economic development.
Final Economic Development Strategy
The EDS was approved by Council on April 3, 2024.
To better leverage our existing assets and to build a more sustainable local economy, the EDS identifies five strategic priorities to enhance growth in Severn over the next five years.
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 EDS.
View the final Economic Development Strategy
Project summary
The EDS defines strategic objectives with achievable outcomes. The project followed a process that will allow Severn to determine where we want to go in relation to economic development, and charts a path to get us there. The strategy defines important goals, sets specific directions, and clarifies policy and budget priorities.
The project consisted of four phases:
- Phase I: Collect business and market data
- Phase 2: Analyze results
- Phase 3: Create a short-term action plan and develop the five-year strategy
- Phase 4: Prepare the final strategy
Reports and presentations
The draft Economic Development Strategy was presented to the Corporate Services Committee on March 27, 2024.
View the draft Economic Development Strategy
View the draft Economic Development Strategy presentation
Explorer Solutions presented the Phase 1 Preliminary Report to the Corporate Services Committee on August 30, 2023.
View the Phase 1 Preliminary Report and presentation
Opportunities for public involvement
To gather input from community members and stakeholders, Severn invited local residents, businesses, First Nations, partners and community organizations to participate in a public online survey.
The survey gathered feedback and input on a wide range of topics such as:
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Additional opportunities to get involved included:
- an online survey tailored to capture the thoughts, opinions, and perspectives of youth living in Severn
- virtual and in-person focus groups
- one-on-one meetings and interviews with business leaders and stakeholders
Ideas, comments and questions?
Have an idea, comment or question you'd like to share about the EDS?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Why did Severn create an Economic Development Strategy? |
| Severn is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the County of Simcoe. The Township has many existing assets that make it attractive to potential businesses, such as its proximity to nature and access to major roads and highways. This strategy will leverage those assets and identify additional opportunities by working with our local businesses, stakeholders, and other partners to create a vision for a strong and sustainable local economy. |
| How is an Economic Development Strategy used? |
| The 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 provides a structure to guide economic development initiatives Severn may be involved in. |
| Who was consulted with as part of this process? |
| Severn engaged broadly with the community. We reached out to local businesses, First Nations, municipal partners, community groups, as well as youth and students. |
| How were public comments be used? |
| Public and stakeholder input was used to inform the vision, goals and strategies for local economic development in Severn. |
| How long will it take to complete the strategy? |
| The EDS was started in late May 2023 and completed in April 2024. |
| Where can I find more information about business support in Severn? |
| You can visit our Business Support page to learn more about available land, business resources, and key investment areas. |
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