NEUSTADT – Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) celebrated 35 years of operation recently.
SEDC exists to promote sustainable economic and social development throughout Arran-Elderslie, Chatsworth, Brockton, Grey Highlands, Hanover, Minto, South Bruce, Southgate, Wellington North and West Grey. SEDC offers a wide variety of programs and services, in particular, it provides business advisory services, investment services, and community economic development.
This year’s celebration was able take place in person, following strict COVID-19 protocols. SEDC was happy to be able to include many notable guests, such as Ashleigh Weeded, a local rural futurist who is “recognized as a thought leader on rural renewal, policy foresight, and public sector innovation, and an emerging voice for ‘the right to be rural.’” Also speaking at the event was Rick Whittaker, CEO of Future Health Services/Future Health Technologies, who discussed the great work they are doing with the Community Paramedic Remote Monitoring System (CPRPM); Charli Marshall, a 2021 Student Start-Up Program (SSUP) participant who spoke about her involvement with the SSUP program and her resulting business, Golden Bites; and Lisa Farlow of Farlow’s Home Hardware in Durham also joined us to discuss the work she has been able to accomplish with help of SEDC’s Business Resurgence Program.
“Ontario Community Futures Corporation also known as CFDC’s are part of a national network of economic development organizations serving rural communities. This grass roots organization is comprised of local, community-minded board of directors. We are a proud member of all the communities we serve, and hope to be able to serve them for at least another 35 years,” said Irene Drost, SEDC board president
SEDC has accomplished many successes over those past 35 years, including its award-winning project – Saugeen Connects, Hawk’s Nest, and our Saugeen Economy Newsletter, just to name a few. With a $1.2 million investment by the federal government 35 years ago, this community-driven grass roots initiative has grown to a portfolio of close to $10 million.
“We would have never been able to accomplish what we have without the support of our municipal and county leaders, EDOs and our Saugeen community. I sincerely hope that we can continue to work in partnership for our Communities’ Futures,” said Rose Austin, GM of SEDC.
