The Northumberland Economic Recovery Task Force has finalized initial recommendations to drive the recovery of local businesses and the revitalization of Northumberland’s economy post-COVID-19.
Over the past several weeks, 63 working group members – including business owners and leaders, municipal partners and industry stakeholders – across six targeted sectors have been engaging their networks for feedback, evaluating data from recent surveys and sharing insights from their operations in order to support the Task Force in developing formal recommendations.
It has now identified opportunities that exist for local business and government partners to take direct and co-operative action to revive the local economy in the form of three recommendations that will be refined through further engagement with the working groups for integration into a final report.
Tackle broadband deficits
While high-speed internet connectivity is key to local economic recovery, there are significant gaps in high-speed availability and capacity throughout Northumberland. The county is leading an initiative to evaluate local capacity and connectivity levels, and define a recommended approach to (and roadmap for) maximizing access in under-serviced and unserved areas. An RFP that has already been issued will close June 11.
Phase 1 of the Broadband Strategic Plan will be completed by August, with the next step being to apply for funds for implementation. The Task Force recommends partnership with Federal and provincial governments as an urgent priority in alignment with the goals of programs such as the Improving Connectivity in Ontario program and the Connect To Innovate program.
Power the transition to on-line
Where there is adequate internet access in areas of high connectivity, support is required to help businesses transition to the on-line environment. Local surveys indicate the wish of consumers to support local business, along with their belief that the safest way to do so in the current environment is on-line,
The Business And Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland and local partners are launching an initiative to assist small businesses in developing their on-line presence. A working group of business owners and stakeholders is examining the best way to address this important issue and facilitate the implementation of a support program as soon as possible to help small businesses launch or improve their social-media presence launch or improve their web presence, and engage in e-commerce.
The Task Force recommends partnership with the provincial government to facilitate business adoption of necessary tools and technology and to support capacity-building activities.
Fuel consumer confidence
Standardized requirements for personal protective equipment for consumers will enhance public safety and increase consumer confidence in visiting bricks-and-mortar establishments. While businesses across the county continue to monitor and respond to public-health direction and ensure measures are in place to enhance the safety of customers visiting their establishments, the lack of clear guidelines for a universal approach means these measures are inconsistent - generating confusion and concern among businesses and the public alike.
The Task Force recommends partnership with local municipalities to develop a county-wide standard for the wearing of masks in all customer-facing environments.
“This has been a strong, united effort by our business community, together with partners like the county, the chambers, the Manufacturers Association and the CFDC, to lay the groundwork for the workforce innovation and infrastructure updates required for the support of our local economy under this new normal,” Task Force co-chair Brendan Cunneen said in the press release.
“Our business owners and leaders are self-starters, motivated to succeed and prepared to invest in transformation where they can.
“The intent is to produce recommendations based on local conditions that inspire collective action. To that end, several measures are already underway that we believe will generate outcomes for the community. These are interim recommendations and we look forward to releasing final recommendations in a formal report by the end of the month, and partnering with our municipal, provincial and federal counterparts to fulfill these recommendations and deliver results.”
Additional recommendations for the final report are anticipated to centre around issues that have emerged as common themes across all working-group tables, including access to child-care services, access to mental-health resources, and the resolution of supply-chain challenges for access to personal protective equipment. The Task Force will identify a strategy of advocacy and action on these issues as part of final recommendations.
This report will be delivered to county and local municipal councils, as well as Federal and provincial government representatives by the end of June.