Body: Economic Development Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: February 18, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Economic Development Task Force/2025/Notes/Economic Development Task Force - 18 Feb 2025 - Minutes.pdf)
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North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 18, 2025
Economic Development Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Deputy Mayor John Inglis (Acting Chair); Councillor Roy Huetl; Cyndy
Bonello; Paul Thiel; Dan Vaillancourt; Brandon Hartwig; and Tammy
Watson
Absent with Regret:
Councillor Stephanie Regent and Danielle Kecso.
Also Present:
Brooke Ross, Dipl.M.A., 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 9:00 a.m.
Traditional Land Acknowledgement Deputy Mayor John Inglis (Chair) read the Traditional Land Acknowledgement.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Economic Development Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the January 20, 2025 EDTF Meeting as approved via email and were received for information at the January 31, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
Business Arising
a) Welcome Package - Bonello
Cyndy Bonello and the MCD will arrange to meet in the upcoming weeks to go through the welcome packages and ensure all content is up to date.
b) Business Dinner & Forum (April) – Vaillancourt, Regent, Huetl
The Business Dinner & Forum sub-committee reported that they are awaiting information regarding the menu and pricing from the staff at North of Seven Restaurant in Plevna. The MCD confirmed that the Clar-Mill Community Hall has been booked for April 25, 2025. The MCD confirmed that the MP and Township businesses have been emailed a “Save the Date” for this event. The sub-committee will be creating the invitations and requesting the MCD send to the MP and businesses as soon as the final details are provided by the caterer.
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North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 18, 2025
c) Business Profiles –Thiel, Huetl
Paul Thiel completed the February Business Profile featuring “Highland Vinyl Designs” and it will be included in the February 21, 2025 Council agenda. Councillor Roy Huetl will complete the March Business Profile.
d) National Tradesman Day Breakfast (Sept) – MCD
No update until August 2025.
e) SummerFest (July 19, 2025) – Bonello, Inglis, Vaillancourt
No update at this time.
f) WinterFest (February 22, 2025) – Bonello, Inglis, Watson
The EDTF reviewed the map of food/beverages, entertainment, warming stations, Safety & First Aid, Restrooms, Parking, etc - as well as the “North Frontenac’s Got Talent” contestant schedule for 2025 Winterfest to be held on Saturday February 22nd at the Clar-Mill Hall 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The sub-committee will be meeting to firm up the location plan for all of the vendor kiosks/booths after this EDTF meeting.
g) Spring/Fall Foodilicous Event - Thiel, Regent, Kecso
The sub-committee working on the Spring/Fall Foodilicous initiative have met and would like to potentially have this event take place in the Fall of 2025. Danielle Kecso has put together an agenda/format to share at the next EDTF meeting, for consideration.
h) Mural Project - MCD
The EDTF will discuss locations for the next Mural Project at the March 17th EDTF meeting. The MCD will provide the EDTF members a map of the current mural locations so that equal placement can be considered throughout the township.
i) NF Commercial Signage – Regent, Kecso, Thiel
The North Frontenac Commercial signage working group met to discuss options for moving forward with this project prior to the sign by-law being implemented. Danielle Kecso will bring the final paperwork to the next EDTF meeting for review prior to making recommendations to Council.
j) Tradeshow – Bonello, Thiel
Cyndy Bonello and Paul Thiel reported that they are still in need of additional volunteers for the upcoming 2025 Quinte Sportsman Boat & RV Show on March 7-9, 2025. Brochures/advertising products have been received from some of the Businesses in the Township but they are hoping to get more to take to the Tradeshow for promotion. Councillor Roy Huetl requested that the MCD look into pricing for the Ottawa Boat & Page 2 of 19
North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 18, 2025
Outdoor show for 2026 and bring the information back to a future EDTF meeting for discussion
k) Identify barriers to housing development and potential solutions – Inglis, Regent, Kecso, Hartwig
Danielle Kecso will bring mapping showing Township owned property that could potentially be developed for housing to the next EDTF for further discussion prior to making recommendations to Council.
New Business
a) K&P Trail - Discussion with Richard Allan, County of Frontenac
As requested at the last EDTF meeting, Richard Allen presented an overview of the K &
P Trail to the EDTF. He advised that the the County owns and operates 78 of the 90 km
of the former Kingston and Pembroke railway bed that stretches from South Frontenac to
the boundary with Lanark County and since 2009 has developed it into a multi-use
recreational trail shared by pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motorized users on a
year-round basis. The County plans to continue redevelopment of the former railway an
additional 20 kilometres from Clarendon Station to the municipal border shared with
Lanark County. The trail continues North to Calabogie and Renfrew from that boundary.
Richard outlined the economic benefits that could emerge as the trail route continues to
grow and gain popularity. Events/Promotion/Advertising benefits the businesses and
communities along the trail as the visitors spend at restaurants, snack shops and
purchase fuel, etc. along their way. The EDTF agreed that this is a significant asset and
attraction for the Township and the County and thanked Richard for his presentation.
The EDTF would like to create a sub-committee and discuss ideas and opportunities to
partner and promote the K&P trail at the next EDTF meeting, for Council’s consideration.
(Roy Huetl and Cyndy Bonello expressed interest in being members of this sub-
committee).
2025 K&P Trail Presentation NFTWP EcDev Task Force
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 10:21 a.m.
NOTE : The next meeting of the EDTF will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Municipal Council Chambers located at 6648 Road 506, Plevna.
Recommendations to Council
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the February 18, 2025 Notes of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF).
Received by Council onMarch 14, 2025.
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North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force Minutes February 18, 2025
Councillor Stephanie Regent, Chair Township of North Frontenac EDTF
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The Frontenac K&P Trail
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Building Trail (Economy)
Infrastructure
to
Economy
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Current State
•
78 km operating from Orser Road to
Clarendon Station
•
8 km recently constructed from
Clarendon Station to the Mississippi
•
Equal split between cycling, hiking,
motorized as well as other uses such as
horseback riding, cross-country skiing
•
63 km available for motorized use during
the summer months
•
All motorized users must have a permit
or pass with an authorized partner .
•
Estimated 197,110 visits to the trail in
2023
.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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North Frontenac
Rehabilitation
•
Rehabilitated 8 kilometres of Trail in
Central and North Frontenac with
funding support from the Rural
Economic Development Program.
•
Additional financial support on this
project came from Ottawa Valley ATV
Club, Frontenac ATV Club, Kick & Push
Brewery, Sharbot Lake Business Group,
Clarendon Station Accommodation and
1 private donation
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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North Frontenac
Rehabilitation
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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North Frontenac
Rehabilitation
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Streetview
Frontenac County added the K&P Trail
to Google Street View, enhancing
accessibility and trip planning.
•
This project resulted in 360 degree
footage of the K&P trail.
•
Supports visitors, especially those
with mobility challenges.
•
Planning to capture North
Frontenac and any gaps in Summer
2025.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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2024 Events
May 11: ATV Club Ride to
Wheeler’s
July 20: Back Road ATV
Poker Run
July 21: Kick & Push
Century Ride
September 15: ATV Club
Ride to Calabogie
September 28: World Trails
Conference Trail Journey
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Trail Use Data
Physical Counts
2021
2022
2023
Total Counts:
158,911
170,801
144,384
Peak Day
(Sept 4) 1615
(Jan 22) 2148
(Feb 5) 2264
Daily Average Use
435
468
437
Mobile Data
2021
2022
2023
Total Visits
231,794
218,199
197,110
Unique Visitors
52,025
86,498
82,711
Number of Tourists (100 km)
11,705
11,729
15,632
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Economic Impact
ATV & Side by Sides
•
Average spend on a day trip in Ontario is $249 per trip. (Moto
Canada, 2023) and in 2020, 100% of respondents who
primarily use ATV’s on the K&P Trail reported spending money
at local businesses.
•
In 2023, approximately 3101 ATV’s were counted on the K&P
resulting in an estimated economic impact of $381,702.
Cycling
•
Average daily spend for a cyclist on a day trip in Ontario is
$26, with 55% of all cyclists reporting spending money at local
businesses while on a cycling trip (Ontario by Bike, 2023).
•
In 2023, approximately 8097 cyclists were counted on the trail,
resulting in an estimated economic impact of $87,447.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Eastern Ontario
Rail Trail Loop
This partnership project is focused on
establishing a new signature tourism
experience in Eastern Ontario by capitalizing
on recent capital trail investments resulting in
a 360-kilometre off-road loop of rail trails.
Partners:
•
Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization
•
County of Renfrew
•
County of Lanark
•
Town of Smiths Falls
•
Township of Rideau Lakes
•
Cataraqui Conservation
Assessment was completed in July of 2024
and steps have now begun to complete the
recommendations required prior to marketing
the product to an international audience.
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Challenges &
Opportunities
There are 75 kilometres of K&P Trail between
Sharbot Lake and Calabogie with:
•
Limited Food & Beverage
•
Limited Accommodations
•
Infrastructure Improvements needed
Potential for:
•
Food Trucks (weekend traffic)
•
Accommodations – Cabins, Backcountry
Camping, Glamping, Campgrounds
•
Outfitting – Gear rentals, Bike Rentals, Trip
Support
•
Shuttle Services (Moving cars, luggage, people)
•
Events (Races, Festivals, Challenges)
Markets:
•
Day Trips (Gravel Cycling)
•
Bikepacking
•
Distance Cycling
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Planned Trail
Economy Projects
•
User Survey (2025)
•
Trail Etiquette Initiative (2025-2026)
•
Rail Trail Loop (2025-2026)
•
Trail Towns Engagements
•
Branding and Marketing Campaigns
•
Joint Management Plan
•
Policies (2025)
•
Adjacent Land Uses
•
Acquisition of adjacent lands
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Planned Capital
Projects 2025-2029
•
Rehabilitation of K&P Trail from Snow
Road Station to County Boundary
•
Snow Road Station Multi-Use Path
•
Bridge repairs and replacements at:
Hardwood Creek in Verona
Fish Creek in Tichborne
Black Creek in Mississippi Station
Bolton Creek at Clarendon Station
Cranberry Creek at Snow Road
Station
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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Questions?
Frontenac K&P Trail Business Plan 2025 - 2029
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