Body: Economic Development Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: February 17, 2026
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Economic Development Task Force/2026/Notes/Economic Development Task Force - 17 Feb 2026 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 17, 2026
Economic Development Task Force Minutes 10:00 AM - Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor John Inglis (Chair), Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Betty Hunter,
Paul Thiel, Dan Vaillancourt and Cyndy Bonello
Absent with Regret:
Also Present: Brooke Ross, Dipl.M.A., Dipl.M.M., Manager of Community Development (MCD); Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development (County of Frontenac); and Lori Newman (Secretary)
Call to Order The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:00 a.m.
Traditional Land Acknowledgement
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None.
Economic Development Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the January 19, 2026 EDTF Meeting as approved via email and were received for information at the February 6, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council.
Business Arising
a) Increased number of business startups and expansions
Welcome Package – Bonello - Cyndy Bonello and the MCD will be meeting today to go through the Welcome Packages and ensure that all content is up to date and will assemble a stock of packages so that the “Welcome Letters” can resume being mailed out.
Business Dinner & Forum (April) – Vaillancourt, Huetl, Hunter - The Business Dinner and Forum working group advised that the Guest Speakers and Caterer have been confirmed for the Business Dinner & Forum taking place on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna. The invitations have been sent out to businesses.
Business Profiles – Thiel - Paul Thiel completed the February 2026 Business Profile on “Nate’s Tires” and will be working on the March Business Profile in the next few weeks. Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 17, 2026
National Tradesman Day Breakfast (Sept) – MCD - The MCD advised the EDTF that planning for this event will not begin until August 2026.
Improvement of Township Community Improvement Plan – Inglis, Huetl, MCD - The MCD advised the EDTF that the Public Open House for the Proposed Changes to the Township’s Community Improvement Plan will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Township Municipal Office from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. with a brief presentation at 1:30 p.m. Sonya Bolton, Manager of Community Planning, Frontenac County will present the overview regarding the proposed amendments and improvements to the Township Community Improvement Plan and will collect all comments and recommendations and bring to the March 16th EDTF meeting for discussion and consideration prior to planning a formal public meeting and presenting to Council.
Bi-annual Business Owners Workshop Meetings (June + November) - Bonello, Vaillancourt - Cyndy Bonello and Dan Vaillancourt advised that the first Bi-annual Business Owners Workshop Meeting details have been finalized and is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Barrie Community Hall in Cloyne. Advertising for this will begin mid-April.
b) Increased Tourism
Attend Two (2) Tradeshows per year – Bonello, Thiel, Hunter The working group reported that they had a great meeting with Central Frontenac’s Economic Development Committee on January 22, 2026 to discuss the Tradeshows; cost-sharing details; volunteer scheduling, etc. The groups are both preparing and getting organized for the March 13-15, 2026 Quinte Sportsman Boat and RV Show.
SummerFest (July) – Bonello, Inglis, Vaillancourt No update at this time.
WinterFest (February 21, 2026) – Bonello, Inglis, Hunter The WinterFest working group will hold a meeting today to discuss last minute details regarding the vendors and activities for the Winter Festival which is taking place February 21, 2026 at the Clar-Mill Community Hall in Plevna. It was also advised that there was not enough interest to hold the Talent Show portion of the Festival this year.
Mural Project – MCD The MCD confirmed that applications are being received for the 2026 Art Mural Project. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2026 prior to 4:00 p.m.
ATV Trails (including K&P Trail) Opportunities and Promotion – Huetl, Bonello Roy Huetl and Cyndy Bonello will be meeting with Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development, County Of Frontenac, today to discuss options for organizing and promoting ATV Tours/Rides with routes planned within & throughout North Frontenac Page 2 of 4
North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 17, 2026
Township and will bring back information to the next EDTF meeting for discussion, prior to making recommendations to Council.
Strengthen relationship with Frontenac County Economic Development Team – County Representatives Richard Allen advised that the County is working on developing a new online Business Directory to co-ordinate with all of the Frontenac County Municipal websites scheduled to be updated in the next year. He also advised that the new County Community Development Officer has been hired and will be introduced to the EDTF at the April 20th EDTF meeting.
Advertising Initiatives to improve visitors coming to North Frontenac There has been excellent feedback reported from the Township Businesses regarding the new brochures and tent cards that were provided (includes a QR code that takes the user to the Recreation and Leisure page of the Township Website). It was also reported that there is already a high demand for the annual “Explore Township Of North Frontenac” publication. The 2026 Edition will be available in April 2026 and the MCD will inform the EDTF so that they can be distributed to the area businesses.
Work Plan
Increased number of business startups and expansions a. Welcome Package – Bonello b. Business Dinner & Forum (April) – Vaillancourt, Huetl, Hunter c. Business Profiles –Thiel d. National Tradesman Day Breakfast (Sept) – MCD e. Improvement of Township Community Improvement Plan – Inglis, Huetl, MCD f. Bi-annual Business Owners Workshop Meetings – Bonello, Vaillancourt
Increased Tourism a. Attend Two (2) Tradeshows – Bonello, Thiel, Hunter b. SummerFest (July) – Bonello, Inglis, Vaillancourt, Hunter c. WinterFest (February) – Bonello, Inglis, Hunter d. ATV Trails (including K&P Trail) Opportunities and Promotion – Huetl, Bonello e. Strengthen relationship with Frontenac County Economic Development Team – County Representatives f. Advertising Initiatives to improve visitors coming to North Frontenac
New Business None.
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 17, 2026
Recommendations to Council
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the February 17, 2026 Notes of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF)
Received by Council on February 27, 2026.
Presentations
Councillor John Inglis, Chair
Page 4 of 4
