Body: Council Type: Agenda Meeting: Regular Date: Date unknown Collection: Council Agendas Municipality: Frontenac County
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Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Thursday, January 29, 2026, 10:00 AM County of Frontenac Administration Building 2069 Battersea Road, Glenburnie, ON Meeting YouTube link
Call to Order We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for mother earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the County is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Adoption of Agenda That the agenda for the January 29, 2026 meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee be adopted.
Adoption of Minutes That the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting held November 27, 2025 be adopted. 25-11-27 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Minutes (1)
Deputations and or Presentations
Directors Briefings
(Page 4)
Mr. Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development provided the Planning Advisory Committee with the planning briefing PEDAC 26-01-29 Directors Briefing
(Page 9)
7.
Reports to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee 7.1.
Consultant Briefing Amy Hogue of the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization and Jane McCulloch of Terminus Consulting will provide PEDAC with a briefing on the Eastern Ontario Rail Loop Project (See Agenda Item 7.2 Report 2026-007 2025 Business Retreat) PEDAC 26-01-29 EORTL Partner Presentation
7.2.
Report 2026-007 - Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update This report is provided to the committee for information purposes only. Report 2026-007 - Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update
7.3.
(Page 22)
(Page 55)
Staff Briefing Ms. Debbi Miller will provide PEDAC with a briefing on the 2025 Business Retreat. (See Agenda Item 7.4 Report 2026-008 2025 Business Retreat) PEDAC 26-01-29 Business Retreat Briefing
7.4.
Report 2026-008 - 2025 Business Retreat This report is for information. Report 2026-008 - 2025 Business Retreat
7.5.
(Page 59)
(Page 65)
Staff Briefing Ms. Debbi Miller will provide PEDAC with a briefing on the Frontenac County Business Awards. (See Agenda Item 7.6 Report 2026-009 Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards) PEDAC 26-01-29 Business Awards Briefing
7.6.
Report 2026-009 - Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards This report is for information. Report 2026-009 - Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards
7.7.
(Page 70)
(Page 77)
Report 2025-010 - Business Directory Demonstration This report is for information only. Report 2025-010 - Business Directory Demonstration
Page | 2
(Page 81)
8.
Communications
Other Business
- Next meeting
- Adjournment
Page | 3
Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting November 27, 2025 [Note: Minutes are not Verbatim, please refer to full video at https://youtube.com/live/mECimn-1GZE?feature=share] A meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee was held in the Council Chamber at the County Administrative Office, 2069 Battersea Road, Glenburnie on Thursday, November 27, 2025 and was called to order at 10:00 AM Present: Councillor Judy Greenwood-Speers, Chair Councillor Ron Vandewal, Vice Chair Councillor Fred Fowler Mike Hage Phil Leonard Jim McIntosh Present Electronically: Leona Fleischmann Councillor Fran Smith Staff Present: Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development Jannette Amini, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk Sonya Bolton, Manager of Community Planning Kevin Farrell, Chief Administrative Officer Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer 1.
Call to Order
We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for mother earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the County is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
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2.
Adoption of the Agenda
Moved By: Seconded By:
Mr. McIntosh Mr. Hage
That the agenda for the November 27, 2025 meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee be adopted. Carried 3.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were none. 4.
Adoption of Minutes a)
Minutes of Meeting held October 23, 2025
Moved By: Seconded By:
Mr. Leonard Councillor Fowler
That the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting held October 23, 2025 be adopted. Carried 5.
Deputations and/or Presentations a)
Jim Knapp, Director, District 1 West, Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicles and President of the Frontenac ATV Club provided the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee with a year-end report on how the Frontenac ATV Club performed this past riding season, being its first year with required Permits.
To questions raised about enforcement, Mr. Knapp noted that there have been tickets issued by the OPP based on this system and permits can be purchased on the spot via cell phones. There are also places along the trail where day permits may be purchased. 6.
Briefings a)
Mr. Joe Gallivan, Director of Planning and Economic Development provided the Planning Advisory Committee with the planning briefing
Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 27, 2025
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7.
Reports to the Planning Advisory Committee a)
2025-089 Planning and Economic Development K&P Trail – Requirement for all motorized off-road trail users to hold a membership with an authorized partner organization Moved By: Councillor Smith Seconded By: Deputy Warden Vandewal Be It Resolved That staff be authorized to enter into a three year memorandum of understanding with the Frontenac ATV Club (OFATV Affiliate) and the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance for non-exclusive use of the K&P Trail under the existing terms and conditions. Carried Mr. Allen highlighted that this has been a very successful implementation with few to no complaints and residents were pleased to see how permits can be obtained for different periods of time. We continue to see financial benefits from the Frontenac ATV Club, and we are seeing local businesses benefiting from events taking place on the trail. Mr. Allen also noted that MPP John Jordan has been very supportive of the one permit system. Agreements with each organization are based on time of year while snowmobile clubs are limited to between December and March. These discussions will take into account fluctuations in seasons, as most of the issues stem from insurance. The season for ATV’s is longer and generally the snowmobile clubs are not concerned about ATV’s on the trail when there is no snow on the ground. In terms of the Frontenac ATV Club, they take direction from the County regarding when they are permitted to use the trail. b)
2025-090 Planning and Economic Development Open Farms 2025 and Support for Food and Agriculture Moved By: Mr. McIntosh Seconded By: Councillor Fowler Be it Resolved That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommend to County Council that the Open Farms event be suspended for the foreseeable future; And Further That the Planning and Economic Development Committee recommend to County Council staff and financial resources used for coordinating and hosting the Open Farms event be redeployed for supporting the food and agriculture sector through a variety of initiatives, including:
- Strategic Partnerships
- Increased Support for Farmers Markets Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 27, 2025
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3. Continued Support for Plowing Matches 4. Improved Farm, Food & Beverage Information on County Websites 5. Farm to Fork Connection Building Carried To questions regarding the lack of success for Open Farms, Ms. Miller noted that the event has shifted and changed. This event has been taking place for the past 8 years and is now going through a new phase. For the $5,000 budget and the 300+ hours of staff time, Ms. Miller noted that portions of the weekend that were very successful, such as the kick off event, the Sunday in the Country, and the Octoberfest event. There were not a lot of other events offered so we are looking at how these man hours can be adjusted to support the events that were successful but also broaden the other scope. Additional Farmers Markets are great but can pull away from other events. When Open Farms began, it was not this complicated, but some farmers became overwhelmed so a ticketing system was put in place; however, this may have lost something and changed the culture of the event. Mr. Allen noted that one conversation staff had with a local farm was a lot of the participating farms were able to build their customer list. Now that this list has been built, these farms are not able to expand their operations so visitors to the farms is no longer needed to grow operations. We built this because farms wanted it. This is no longer the case. c)
2025-091 Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Update to the Frontenac Business Directory
This report was provided to the committee for information purposes only and staff were happy to answer questions. 8.
Communications
Other Business
Chair Greenwood-Speers noted the proposed changes being considered to the Conservation Authorities and advised that she will be bringing forward a motion to Council. Deputy Warden Vandewal noted that on December 5th there is a session being held in Ottawa at the Conference and Event Centre from 1-3:30 to make comments on this matter. Mr. Farrell noted that he will be meeting with the General Manager of the CRCA next week regarding this matter. Mr. Hage noted that FIFA will be coming to Toronto in 2026 and questioned if we can benefit from this, to which Mr. Allend noted that he is in regular discussions with the City of Kingston and they will have a strategy in place for this. Staff will report back to the Committee when more concrete information is available.
Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 27, 2025
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10.
Next Meeting a)
The next meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the County Administration Building. Adjournment
Moved By: Seconded By:
Councillor Fowler Mr. McIntosh
That the meeting hereby adjourn at 11:07 a.m. Carried
Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes November 27, 2025
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Director’s Briefing Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee January 29th, 2026
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N at ural He ritage St udy • Natural Resource Solutions has been hired to work on the Natural Heritage Study. • 12-14 month project • Public consultation in each Township • Engage Frontenac
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C ommunit y P lanning Perm it Syste m • Staff are cu rrentl y revi ewi ng a revise d draft te mpl ate. • In Fe bru ar y, the revi se d d raft temp late w ill be shared wi th th e wo rkin g g roup (whi ch in clud es staff fro m each tow nshi p) and un derg o a le gal revi ew.
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P lanning Applic ations by Towns hip 2 01 6 to 20 2 5 200
174
180
Number of applications
160 143
140 120
100
65
60
94
81
53
87
26
23
21
20
24
13
11
31
19
2017
2018
2019
2020
North Frontenac
21
23
26
19
Central Frontenac
33
53
48
50
Frontenac Islands
11
13
24
Total
65
89
98
13
45
40 44
38 18
12
56
54
38
2016
North Frontenac
70 60
57
50
48
33
40
108
98
89
80
0
119
104
16
13
18
10
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
31
57
60
38
40
45
38
104
70
54
44
56
12
18
13
13
16
10
18
81
87
174
143
108
94
119
Central Frontenac
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Frontenac Islands
Total
Tow nship P lanning Ho urs 2 01 6 to 20 2 5 3000
2457
2500
2518
Number of Hours
2180 1915
1899
2000
1738 1572
1500 1274
1317
2017
2018
1151 1000
500
0 2016
2019
2020
2021
Year
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2022
2023
2024
2025
P lanning Applic ations by Ty pe 2 02 5
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C ount y P lanning Hours 2 01 6 to 20 2 5 3,500 3,181
3,000 2,632
2,473
2,500
2,303
Number of Hours
2,201 2,036
1,908
2,000
1,500 1,250
1,251
1,015
1,000
500
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Year
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2022
2023
2024
2025
C ent ra l F rontenac planning appeal • Minor variance for existing development on Long Lake waterfront property denied by Township Committee of Adjustment. • Decision appealed by owner. • Ontario Tribunal Hearing set for February 24 th – planning evidence required.
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A LTO Hi gh S pe ed R a i l C o n su l ta t i o n
Online Engagement including Survey and Interactive Map: https://www.altotrain.ca/ Nearby Open Houses: March 4 – Perth Lions Club, 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM March 5 – Madoc Township Recreation Centre, 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
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He alt hcare proje c t 2025 Implementation Plan Update • Presentation and Report to County Council December 17. • FLA OHT - Health Home Working Group Lead of the subgroup on Recruitment and Retention Meetings started in December 2025
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Ec onomic D evelopm ent Business Support • Wolfe Island Business Meetings Monthly
• Outlining dates for 2026 for networking, business visits, training and more. • RTO9 Destination Development online session – January 20 • Community Development Officer •
interviews held the week of January 19 th.
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K& P Trail • As of January 17, the entire K&P Trail has been available for snowmobile use, including the section with the new Antoine Creek Bridge. • Snow Road Snowmobile Club reports increased traffic in the area already. • During the weekend of January 17-18, over 500 snowmobiles passed through Sharbot Lake. • Purchase of K&P Trail from Mississippi Valley
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Questions ?
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Eastern Ontario Rail Trail PARTNER PRESENTATION
JANUARY 2026
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Amy Hogue
Jane McCulloch
Dragonfly Communications & Marketing Inc.
Principal of Terminus Consulting
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ABOUT THE EASTERN ONTARIO RAIL TRAIL LOOP The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) is a 360 km cycling route connecting rural communities across five counties within Ontario’s Highlands. Built on former rail corridors, the Loop supports tourism and local economies by linking “Trail Towns” that offer cyclist-friendly services and experiences as an economic driver.
This initiative is led by a collaborative partnership between three Counties, two municipalities, local conservation authorities and regional tourism organizations to support investment focused on infrastructure, branding, and business readiness. With a 2030 vision for export and market readiness, the Loop aims to position Eastern Ontario as a leading destination for recreational and hybrid cyclists.
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Trail Town Vision
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What is a Trail Town? A Trail Town is a welcoming community located along a recreational trail, designed to support and benefit from trail users through strategic planning and tourism development. Trail Towns offer amenities and welcoming public spaces tailored to trail users. This model boosts rural economies by drawing trail users off the trail and into towns to eat, shop, and stay overnight – especially valuable for small towns.
Success relies on collaboration between municipalities, businesses, and community members to ensure readiness and shared benefits.
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Why They Are Successful
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Economic Impact • Visitor Spending Drives Local Economies: Users of recreational trails spend substantial amounts on lodging, food, retail, and services.
• Tourism Has Large Regional Impact: Trans Canada Trail users spend ~ $13 billion annually, supporting over 221,000 jobs. • High Per-Visitor Spending: Ontario by Bike reports an average spend of $255/day for cyclists in Ontario. • Job Creation & Income: Trail systems and associated tourism can support hundreds to thousands of jobs.
• Indirect and Multiplier Effects: Beyond direct spending, trails stimulate economic activity.
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Success Story: Great Allegheny Passage (US) Extending 150 miles, this trail connects numerous Trail Towns between Cumberland, MD, and Pittsburgh, PA, boosting local economies and attracting more than 1 million visitors each year.
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Success Story: Trent-Severn Trail Towns Ontario’s Trent-Severn Waterway launched Trail Towns to connect communities through tourism, an approach that links water routes and cycling paths with rural communities.
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Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Project
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Project Overview Initiated in 2023, the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) project is a 360kilometre off-road cycling loop in development across Renfrew, Frontenac, and Lanark counties along with the Township of Rideau Lakes. The Loop connects the Cataraqui, K&P, and Ottawa Valley Recreational Trails to create a signature, tourism-ready experience. Led by the Project Partners and administered by OHTO, the project is designed to drive rural economic growth, promote sustainable travel, and revitalize trail-connected communities.
Projected Impact: 200,000+ annual cyclists and $100M+ in total economic impact.
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Partnership Overview Partners: Renfrew, Frontenac, and Lanark counties, Township of Rideau Lakes and Town of Smiths Falls
Administered By: Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) Supported By: Conservation authorities, tourism and economic development organizations
Formalized Through: Regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Unified by a five-year roadmap and shared vision to position Eastern Ontario as a premier destination for rail trail cycling tourism.
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Why Cycle Tourism Cycle Tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of experiential travel.
• Low-impact, nature-based • Supports active transportation in and between communities
Hybrid cyclists spend $250-$300 per day, higher than the average leisure visitor
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A hybrid cyclist tourism offering strategically aligns the assets we have to offer with the community impacts we want to achieve.
Cycle Tourism = Rural Opportunity Small towns located along the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop can take advantage of dedicated audiences to support: • Revenue generation • Shoulder season visitation
• Return visitation • Accessing new markets
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Assessing the Potential The EORTL project is a catalyst for regional revitalization and long-term economic development.
$67.5M Annual Visitor Spending
$100M + Total Economic Impact.
$250–$300 /day Spending
200,000 Cyclists
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Stages of Product Development
Phase 1: Assessment
Phase 2: Engagement & Development
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Phase 3: Promotion
Phase 1: Complete
Establishing Vision and 5-Year Roadmap
Establishing Partnership Structure
Securing Funding
Memorandum of Understanding with Partners
Governance
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What is “Market Readiness” The trail tourism assessment covered multiple points of evaluation: • On-site field assessments
• Consultation • Review of existing plans and policies • Data collection and mapping • User experience
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Trail Assessment Takeaways • Trail usage varies along the Loop • Success depends on long-term cross-jurisdictional collaboration across counties and municipalities • Infrastructure inconsistencies and signage gaps negatively impact the current trail user/visitor experience. • Trail town engagement is critical to ensure services meet trail user expectations. • Long-term funding is needed for maintenance and marketing.
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Phase 2: Ongoing
Product and infrastructure development
Engagement with tourism operators and communities.
Development of guiding documents and strategic planning
Fostering interest in trailside experience development
Market readiness assessment
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Completed
Community Engagement Plan
Trail Assessment
Industry Communications Toolkit
Industry Branding
Marketing Needs Assessment
Industry Marketing Collateral (map, webpage)
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What’s Next
Implementation of Trail Assessment Recommendations
Strategic Planning for Launch
Asset Development and Acquisition
Market Readiness Assessment (ongoing)
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Market Readiness Pillars
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OHTO.ca
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360km signature cycling experience that transforms rail corridors into community assets.
The Loop is projected to attract 200,000+ cyclists, generating $107M in total economic impact for local communities.
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Marketing Projects
2026 Promotions Download the Trail Tourism Two blog post slots booked for 2026 Assessment Report in March and September to highlight cycling experience in region and market ready trail segments
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Gaining Traction Rail trail cycling is gaining speed in Eastern Ontario
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Featured cycling itinerary on ComeWander.ca “Trail Towns and River Views: Cycling from Carleton Place to Pakenham”
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Commitment for 2030
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2030 Vision
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Annual Phasing for Market Readiness 2025-2026: Early Preparation & Industry Alignment
2026-2027: Brand Foundation & Early Digital Planning
2027-2028: Digital Build & Content Framework Development
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2028-2029: Content Production & Launch Preparation
2029-2030: Launch Execution
Questions?
Learn more about the Loop project and subscribe for updates
Learn more about the Loop project and subscribe for updates
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Report 2026-007
Council Recommend Report To: Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee From:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Prepared by:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Date of meeting:
January 29, 2026
Re:
Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update
Recommendation This report is provided to the committee for information purposes only. Background Over the past two years, Frontenac County has been an active partner in the development of the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL), a 360-kilometre rail trail circuit that would connect the Cataraqui, K&P, Ottawa Valley, and Algonquin trails into a continuous multi day cycling experience across multiple counties and through numerous communities in Eastern Ontario. With support from FedDev Ontario, the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) has been leading this regional effort, coordinating with partner municipalities, a conservation authority, and trail organizations to evaluate the tourism potential of the Loop and develop a shared plan for long term implementation. A comprehensive Market Readiness Assessment, finalized in late 2024 and now published on OHTO’s website, confirms that the Loop has strong potential to become a signature cycling tourism destination for Eastern Ontario. The assessment highlights that the region already benefits from high quality trail segments, scenic landscapes, supportive trail communities, and proximity to major population centers. However, several challenges remain, including inconsistent trail surfaces, long under serviced sections of the route, variable signage standards, and complex routing issues— particularly in the northern portion of the Loop.
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Within this regional context, Frontenac County continues to play an important leadership role. The Frontenac K&P Trail has been identified as one of the most consistently maintained sections of the Loop, supported through recent surface improvements, informative signage, and policies established through the K&P Trail Management Plan. Frontenac County communities such as Sydenham, Verona, and Sharbot Lake are emerging as promising Trail Towns, demonstrating early readiness to support increased visitation. At the same time, the Market Readiness Assessment identifies key gaps that directly affect the County’s ability to support a fully market ready Loop experience. Significant portions of the Frontenac County section of the K&P Trail and the Cataraqui Trail lack food, accommodations, services, and cellular coverage, creating both safety considerations and barriers to multi day cycling visitors. Upgrades to the Cataraqui Trail and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority managed portion of the K&P Trail are also required to reach the standard expected of hybrid cyclists. These needs reinforce priorities already identified in the County’s K&P Trail Management Plan and highlight the importance of continued coordination with regional partners. Comment To guide collaborative work over the next five years, project partners have developed a shared 2030 Vision that positions the Loop as an export ready cycling destination. This vision includes consistent trail infrastructure, fully developed Trail Towns, integrated marketing and digital tools, and a sustainable governance model capable of supporting long term management and promotion. The partners are now working from a Five-Year Roadmap (2025–2030) that identifies milestones in governance, marketing, infrastructure, and community readiness. Working through the renewed Memorandum of Understanding for 2026, Frontenac County and Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization will collaborate to advance the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (EORTL) initiative. Together, the partners seek to achieve the following shared objectives:
- Strengthen Regional Coordination and Governance Frontenac County and OHTO will work jointly to finalize and implement a governance model for the Loop that supports long-term leadership, coordinated decision-making, and consistent progress toward the Five-Year Roadmap and 2030 Vision. Frontenac County will remain an active participant in the governance working group and all partner meetings
- Develop and Implement the 2026 Partnership Workplan Together, the partners will complete the Year 2 Partnership Workplan, consolidating regional activities and identifying local action items for each jurisdiction. Frontenac County will define and advance its own 2026 priorities, including progress on trailhead improvements in Sharbot Lake, Trail Rehabilitation in North Frontenac, business engagement activities, and other actions linked to attracting investment and Trail Town readiness. Information Report to PEDAC Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update January 29, 2026
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3. Advance Loop-Wide Signage, Wayfinding, and Brand Identity OHTO and the County will collaborate on a Loop-wide signage and wayfinding strategy to improve consistency and visitor navigation across all trail partners. Frontenac County will support this work by seeking to integrate Rail Trail Loop signs into its own trail system and contributing to the continued development of Loop-wide branding, itineraries, digital tools, and consumer-facing resources. 4. Support Trail Town Development and Community Engagement The partners will advance community engagement efforts through the Trail Towns program, including outreach to local businesses, facilitation of workshops, and readiness assessments in key communities along the Loop. Frontenac County will continue local activation in Sharbot Lake, Verona, and Sydenham, building on previous assessments and supporting “cycling-friendly” service development. 5. Coordinate Infrastructure Improvements and Trail Readiness OHTO will continue to support funding efforts for Loop-wide infrastructure priorities, while partners prepare for 2026–2027 surface upgrades and connection planning. Frontenac County will work closely with the Cataraqui Region and Mississippi Valley Conservation Authorities to plan and advocate for improvements to their managed trail segments, while also documenting service and amenity gaps in the northern K&P corridor. 6. Enhance Communications and Shared Messaging The partners will continue to develop shared communications tools, including the Loop Communications Toolkit and aligned messaging for public engagement and marketing. Frontenac County will adopt these tools in local outreach and ensure that provincial and OHTO support are appropriately acknowledged in all communications related to the Loop. Charter for Economic Development Alignment The Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop project supports the “Tourism” pillar of the Charter for Economic Development, specifically with respect implementation of the Destination Development Plan and establishing Tourism Trails connecting a variety of recreational experiences, culinary offerings and creative pursuits. Additionally, the recommendations of the Market Readiness Assessment are aligned with the “Food and Beverage” pillar of the Charter, as the assessment calls for increased culinary experiences to support increased visitation on the trail loop. For more information about the Charter for Economic Development, please visit engagefrontenac.ca/charter-for-economic-development Information Report to PEDAC Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update January 29, 2026
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Strategic Priority Implications Goal 2: “Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County” •
Develop regional tools and policies to support long-term protection of lakes, rivers, and other important environmental features in Frontenac.
•
Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.
•
Attract new investments and businesses to Frontenac County.
Financial Implications The County of Frontenac’s contribution to the Market Readiness Assessment project is $10,000 in 2026. In addition, in 2026 Frontenac County expects to contribute $100,000 towards trailhead improvements in Sharbot Lake and, with support from the Rural Ontario Development Program, the County seeks to make capital improvements to 8 kilometres of K&P Trail between Sharbot Lake and Calabogie. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Cataraqui Conservation County of Lanark County of Renfrew Ottawa Valley Tourism Association Ontario’s Highland’s Tourism Organisation (RTO 11) Regional Tourism Organisation 9 (RTO 9) Municipality of Mississippi Mills Town of Smiths Falls Town of Carleton Place Township of Rideau Lakes Township of Central Frontenac Township of North Frontenac Township of South Frontenac Trans Canada Trail
Information Report to PEDAC Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop Project Update January 29, 2026
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Frontenac County Business Retreat Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee January 29, 2026
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F ronte nac C ounty Bus ines s Re t reat • Fourth Annual • First year separate from awards • RKY Camp, Parham, Central Frontenac • Connection & Collaboration • Tuesday, October 21 • 51 attendees from across Frontenac
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P rog ra mming • Panel discussions • Business Supports • Frontenac Businesses • 3 hands on experiences • #In Frontenac Lunch with a focus on local
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Questions ?
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Report 2026-008
Report to the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee To: Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee From:
Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer
Prepared by:
Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer
Date of meeting:
January 29, 2026
Re:
2025 Business Retreat
Recommendation This report is for information. Background The first annual Frontenac Business Retreat & Awards were held in October 2022 at RKY Camp in Parham, Central Frontenac. The report about the event was shared with committee in Report 2023-045. There were three panels, called Campfire Chats which explored tourism experiences, digital wayfinding and small-business finance. The first Frontenac Business Awards were presented to the successful nominees. The five physical awards were framed watercolour paintings created by Wolfe Island artist, Nancy Steele, with a plaque including the name of the business and award. The event was focused on building relationships person to person, and as a result, no PowerPoints are included as part of the presentation format in order to encourage open dialogue and discussion. The feedback that was received through the follow up survey and email was very positive, and many businesses requested that it become an annual event. The second annual Frontenac County Business Retreat and Awards, hosted by Frontenac County Economic Development was held in November 2023. The report about the event was shared with committee in Report 2024-023. Fifty-eight people from all four Townships attended the event at RKY Camp in Parham, offering a casual atmosphere in a central location. The event brought businesses and partners together Page 65 of 82
with four Campfire Chats which explored Tourism Brand Standards Toolkit - Let’s Talk Storytelling, the importance of Farmers Markets in our community, Frontenac Business Supports and a Partnership panel. The second business awards were created by potter Tracey Bamford from Central Frontenac. The feedback that was received at the event and in the follow up was very positive. The third annual Frontenac Business Retreat & Awards were held in November 2024 at RKY Camp in Parham, Central Frontenac. The report about the 2024 event was shared with committee in Report 2025-038. The Retreat held 6 panel discussions, networking with a celebration at the end with the Business Awards. The five physical awards were framed glass pieces created by Cathy Owen of Red Dragon Studio in North Frontenac. The feedback that was received through the follow up survey and email was very positive. Comment Frontenac County entrepreneurs have a strong history of collaboration and working together. The fourth annual Business Retreat, hosted by Frontenac County Economic Development was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Fifty-one people from across Frontenac County attended the 2025 Business Retreat, held at RKY Camp in Parham, offering a casual atmosphere in a central location. The event brought businesses and partners together for a day of networking, learning, connecting and experiences. For the first time since the Business Retreat began, the Retreat and Awards were separated into two individual events to allow additional networking opportunities for businesses. The awards were promoted at the retreat to encourage additional award nominations from retreat attendees. The feedback that was received in the follow up about the change in retreat and award structure and the programming for the retreat has been very positive. Frontenac County Business Retreat The 2025 Business Retreat included a variety of sessions aimed at encouraging collaboration, connection and dialogue among attendees. The day began with registration, networking, coffee and treats provided by Lured Bake Shop from Wolfe Island before the programmed portion of the retreat. The initial session was introductions of all participants that were attending sharing names, business and a bit about their business. Following the introductions the group moved into two panel discussions. The event continues to be technology free, more conversational, to foster deeper engagement between presenters and attendees. The format facilitates discussion, allowing participants to ask questions and connect further on various topics during and after the discussions. The decision to eliminate technology continues to be well received by both presenters and participants. Information Report to PEDAC 2025 Business Retreat January 29, 2026
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The first panel discussion was around Business Supports with panelists from Frontenac Business Services, KEYS Employment Services, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. They each outlined the support that is available through their organization, including ways to access the support. The panel answered questions and shared materials from their organizations. The two Regional Tourism Organizations that support Frontenac County were the second group of panelists with a discussion on the Value of Community and Experience Development. Each of the partners shared about the support they provide to businesses in addition to sharing what makes up a good experience. The session was rounded out with an introduction from Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization to the Eastern Ontario Rail Trail Loop (The Loop) as an example of a large product development initiative that will benefit the region, followed by Frontenac staff covering the priorities for experiential development as it aligns with The Loop. Lunch was a Made #InFrontenac catered lunch sourced and created by Rampant Kitchen, from South Frontenac with a variety of options. Collaboration was demonstrated as lunch included a variety of products from across Frontenac County, including vegetables from Patchwork Gardens and Fen Valley Farms, chicken from The Rise Farm, bacon from Seed to Sausage, beef from Whan Farms, mustard from David and Son’s and honey from Maple Ridge Farm. Lunch was very well received with many compliments about the use of locally sourced Frontenac products. The afternoon was comprised of two sessions, the first being three hands-on experiences. The group split into three different groups that were pre-assigned to participate in one of these experiences. The experience sessions were a partnership with the Regional Tourism Organizations with each partner covering the associated cost. Each experience was delivered by a Frontenac County business. The experiences were: •
Back Forty Artisan Cheese – offered a guided cheese tasting of the various cheeses they make. Participants learned about the cheese making process and the variety while sampling delicious cheese.
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Maple Ridge Farm – offered a broom making workshop where each participant started from scratch weaving and creating a unique broom of their choice. Each participant took home their broom and a pouch of broom corn seeds.
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Wild Edge – offered a guided forest bathing session where the group explored the outdoors listening and being guided through the session, encouraging them to pause, listen and explore nature and all that it offers.
The experiences were an hour and a half with participants being fully engaged throughout the hands-on sessions. The sessions demonstrated best practices for those considering beginning to offer something at their business or expanding on current offerings. There were connections made around collaboration with opportunities for providing experiences at another business location. Each of the experiences provided Information Report to PEDAC 2025 Business Retreat January 29, 2026
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were from a different sector allowing various interests to explore, be exposed to and learn something new that was of interest. Following the experience sessions, the three businesses were part of a panel that shared about experience development, marketing, lessons learned, key considerations when beginning or expanding to offer experiences. The day wrapped up with a group discussion around key takeaways from the day. Moments were shared from the business community about areas they want to explore, expand and focus in the coming year. Event Feedback Following the retreat a contact list of all attendees was shared, as well as a survey for businesses to provide input on the session and provide ideas and comments for future planning. The feedback received in-person and through the survey is valuable and helps guide future planning with the business community. Some key takeaways from the survey were: •
Tuesday is the preferred day of the week for events, with Wednesday being a close second.
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Mornings are the preferred time of day.
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Networking in-person is important to the business community.
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Mid to late October into November is the preferred time of year for the Retreat.
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The central location in Parham is preferred.
The Economic Development Business Plan outlines Frontenac County’s commitment to supporting and nurturing the business community overall, while specialized and individualized support is delivered by partners. The popularity of the event in 2025 continues to demonstrate the importance of support for the business community in Frontenac County, by connecting our local businesses, and providing opportunities for training and networking. Frontenac Economic Development will host the Business Retreat again in 2026 and will explore opportunities to continue to enhance the event, expanding the reach and audience while keeping with the style and feel of the event.
Strategic Priority Implications County Council approved Frontenac County Strategic Plan (2023-2026). This project is aligned with the intent of the priority listed below, with specific items. Priority 2. Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County. Information Report to PEDAC 2025 Business Retreat January 29, 2026
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Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.
Financial Implications The budget for the Frontenac County Business Retreat is included as part of the Economic Development 2024-2028 Business Plan. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Frontenac County Businesses
Information Report to PEDAC 2025 Business Retreat January 29, 2026
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Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee January 29, 2026
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F ro n te na c Co u nt y 20 2 5 B u si n es s A w a rds • 39 nominees • 5 award categories • Anonymous scoring panel
2025 Award Recipients Business of the Year – K&P Brewery New Business – Rampant Kitchen Partnership & Collaboration – The Rise Farm Innovation in Sustainability – Parallel Studio Women-Led Business – Allison Montgomery, Back to Health
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F ro n te na c Co u nt y 20 2 5 B u si n es s A w a rds • Award created by Paul Outwater of Select Manufacturing & Supply in Hartington • Each year created by an artist in Frontenac County.
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F ro n te na c Co u nt y 20 2 5 B u si n es s A w a rds • Fourth Annual • Nominations open mid-September to end of October • First year separate from retreat • Picadilly Hall, Godfrey, Central Frontenac • Networking followed by celebration • Tuesday, November 17 • 36 attendees from across Frontenac • Words from previous award recipient
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Questions ?
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Report 2026-009
Council Recommend Report To: Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee From:
Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer
Prepared by:
Debbi Miller, Community Development Officer
Date of meeting:
January 29, 2026
Re:
Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards
Recommendation This report is for information. Background The first annual Frontenac Business Retreat & Awards were held in October 2022 at RKY Camp in Parham, Central Frontenac. The report about the event was shared with committee in Report 2023-045. There were three panels, called Campfire Chats which explored tourism experiences, digital wayfinding and small-business finance. The first Frontenac Business Awards were presented to the successful nominees. The five physical awards were framed watercolour paintings created by Wolfe Island artist, Nancy Steele, with a plaque including the name of the business and award. The feedback that was received through the follow up survey and email was very positive, and many businesses requested that it become an annual event. The second annual Frontenac County Business Retreat and Awards, hosted by Frontenac County Economic Development was held in November 2023. The report about the event was shared with committee in Report 2024-023. Fifty-eight people from all four Townships attended the event at RKY Camp in Parham, offering a casual atmosphere in a central location. The event brought businesses and partners together with four Campfire Chats which explored Tourism Brand Standards Toolkit - Let’s Talk Storytelling, the importance of Farmers Markets in our community, Frontenac Business Supports and a Partnership panel. The second business awards were created by potter Tracey Bamford from Central Frontenac.
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The feedback that was received at the event and in the follow up was very positive. The third annual Frontenac Business Retreat & Awards were held in November 2024 at RKY Camp in Parham, Central Frontenac. The report about the 2024 event was shared with committee in Report 2025-038. The Retreat held 6 panel discussions, networking with a celebration at the end with the Business Awards. The five physical awards were framed glass pieces created by Cathy Owen of Red Dragon Studio in North Frontenac. The feedback that was received through the follow up survey and email was very positive. For the first time since the Business Awards began four years ago, the retreat and awards were separated into two individual events to allow an opportunity for additional businesses to network and connect. The award nominations were highlighted at the business retreat to encourage nominations from the businesses attending. The feedback that was received in the follow up about the change in retreat and award structure and the awards celebration has been very positive. Comment The Frontenac County 2025 Business Award celebration took place in Godfrey at Picadilly Hall on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. A networking reception took place with appetizers from Seed to Sausage and a cash bar from K&P Brewery at the beginning of the celebration. The Frontenac County Economic Development video was shared with attendees, followed by some updates from staff about projects and initiatives taking place. Kate Slagle from Blue Moose Bed and Breakfast on Wolfe Island shared her personal experience as the Women-Led Business Award recipient in 2024 with a moving story about being a business owner in Frontenac.
Award recipients were acknowledged in the celebration ceremony where Mayor Lichty presented the awards, and each recipient’s nomination was read for attendees. The awards were organized into five categories, • Business of the Year Award, • New Business Award, • Partnership and Collaboration Award, • Innovation in Sustainability Award, • Women-Led Business Award. Nominating businesses within the Frontenac community was done through Engage Frontenac, with Economic Development staff committed to enhancing awareness of nomination criteria to improve submission quality. The nomination window spanned from mid-September to the end of October after the Business Retreat. During the month and a half timeframe, nominations were accepted across the five categories, totaling thirtynine submissions. An anonymous selection committee were tasked with reviewing nominations, to score each submission based on a set criterion.
Information Report to PEDAC Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards January 29, 2026
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The physical award for 2025 was a metal piece of the Frontenac County brand created by Paul Outwater of Select Manufacturing in South Frontenac. In addition to the physical award a 2-hour business photography session was also awarded to each recipient. Each year, the awards are designed by a different artist to reflect their interpretation of the Frontenac brand. Each award featured a personalized plaque indicating the award category, year, and recipient’s business name. The 2025 award recipients were: • Business of the Year: K&P Brewery • New Business: Rampant Kitchen • Partnership and Collaboration: The Rise Farm • Sustainability: Parallel Studios • Women-Led Business: Allison Montgomery, Back to Health Following the ceremony, photographs of the award recipients that were in attendance were captured, celebrating their accomplishments. In the weeks following the event the photos and links to nominations were posted on Engage Frontenac and shared across Frontenac County’s social media channels. The Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards were promoted to the business community through various channels. The Economic Development team raised awareness for the awards using road signs, the business newsletter, awareness during business events and direct outreach to the business community. This is in addition to the partner support in amplifying and the information across their channels. Frontenac County Communications supported the communication with social media posts and news release of the award recipients. Frontenac Economic Development will host the Business Awards again in 2026 and will explore opportunities to continue to enhance the awards, expanding the reach of awareness while increasing the quality of nominations. Strategic Priority Implications County Council approved Frontenac County Strategic Plan (2023-2026). This project is aligned with the intent of the priority listed below, with specific items. Priority 2. Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County. •
Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.
Financial Implications The budget for the Frontenac County Business Awards is included as part of the Economic Development 2024-2028 Business Plan.
Information Report to PEDAC Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards January 29, 2026
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Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Frontenac County Businesses
Information Report to PEDAC Frontenac County 2025 Business Awards January 29, 2026
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Report 2025-010
Council Recommend Report To: Chair and Members of the Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee From:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Prepared by:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Date of meeting:
January 29, 2026
Re:
Business Directory Demonstration
Recommendation This report is for information only. Background As previously reported, the County is in the process of migrating its website to a new service provider. As part of this work, staff identified the need to replace the existing Business Directory with a new solution that can be maintained internally and better support both public information needs and day-to-day business engagement activities. In response, the Economic Development and GIS teams have been collaborating on the development of a new Business Directory using Esri mapping and dashboard tools. As described in Report 2025-091, this work builds on existing County GIS capabilities and aligns with similar map-based applications already in use within Frontenac County. Comment Since the preparation of the original report, further progress has been made on the development of the new map-based Business Directory. The application under development is designed to organize and display business information in a more visual and intuitive format, allowing businesses to be viewed geographically and filtered by business type and municipality. In addition to its future public-facing function, the same underlying data will support an internal dashboard to assist Economic Development staff in tracking business outreach Page 81 of 82
and interactions in a more consistent and organized manner. This approach improves internal coordination while reducing reliance on external platforms. At this stage, the Business Directory remains under development and has not yet been publicly launched. The purpose of the upcoming briefing is to provide committee members with an overview and demonstration of the application’s functionality, outline how it will support ongoing business engagement and service delivery, and describe anticipated next steps toward implementation and business validation once development is complete. Charter for Economic Development Alignment This project is aligned with the objective to “Grow and Maintain Business Community in Frontenac County,” found under the Economic Infrastructure theme. For more information about the Charter for Economic Development, please visit engagefrontenac.ca/charter-for-economic-development Strategic Priority Implications Goal 2: “Contribute to the Progress of Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity Throughout the County” •
Provide business support and resources to existing and prospective businesses.
Financial Implications The previous business directory provided through GHD had an annual cost of $1698.73. The new directory will be developed and maintained in-house with technology and skills provided by the Frontenac GIS team. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Kristy Elderhorst, Supervisor of GIS David Millard, Manager of Information Services
Information Report to PEDAC Business Directory Demonstration January 29, 2026
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