City and EcDev seeking residents input for economic development plan

The City of Kingston, in partnership with Kingston Economic Development, is collecting input to help develop the Kingston community’s Integrated Economic Development Strategy, according to a release from the City dated Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. This strategy is the first of its kind for Kingston, and will identify new opportunities and initiatives to strengthen the local economy by increasing job opportunities and growing the local gross domestic product.

Learn more about the project on Get Involved Kingston, where residents can also complete a survey and leave feedback by using the “Ideas” tab.  Residents are encouraged to share their comments by Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 at 4 p.m.

“The goal of this public engagement is to complement the extensive research that has been conducted by the end of the year,” says Craig Desjardins, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships for the City of Kingston. “We want to collect resident input to better inform the project team’s research and ensure that we’re working toward a strategy that represents what Kingston’s residents want and need at this critical time.”

In October 2018, City Council approved an integrated economic development strategy format with the City of Kingston and Kingston Economic Development working together to create a vision and strategies for growing Kingston’s economy, according to the release. At the April 7 City Council meeting, Kingston Economic Development was directed to develop a Response and Recovery Plan by May of 2020 to address the COVID-19 impact on the local economy and deliver a long-term plan.

Kingston Economic Development was directed by Council on May 5 to report back with a long-term Integrated Economic Development strategy by Q4 2020. According to the release, Economic Development has been working with project consultants to conduct stakeholder interviews and focus groups with representatives across sectors in the Kingston community.  

The Integrated Economic Development Strategy will focus on supporting local business, while identifying sector priorities and offering tactical and strategic approaches to facilitate post COVID-19 economic growth.

“We’re pleased to be working in tandem with the City of Kingston to support Council priorities to strengthen the economy. While we need to focus on today’s challenges, it is imperative that we establish long-term plans for economic community success,” says Donna Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

The 17-question GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, according to the City, and asks a variety of questions about Kingston’s economic sectors, including health innovation, manufacturing and creative industries, and about rural land development and culture.