economic development strategy and action plan 2009 ... - City of Barrie

Executive Summary
The City of Barrie’s rapid growth and expansion has resulted in it
being recognized as one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in
Canada. Its location and proximity from the Greater Toronto Area has
contributed to its substantial economic growth allowing the
development of a broad and diverse economic base. This strong
growth rate is expected to continue creating significant opportunities
to attract residents, visitors and business investment for the City. This
growth is reinforced by the Province’s strategic vision for the Simcoe
Area where Barrie is expected to become a key urban growth node in
the Greater Toronto Region.
This continued growth coupled with the recent changes in the global economy has fuelled the need for
the City of Barrie to review and revise its economic development strategy. The City’s last economic
development strategy was produced in 2004 and in revisiting this effort, the City has made clear the need
to reflect the effects of the recent changes in the provincial, national and global economic climate. Actions
need to be taken over the short term to respond effectively to these changes, as well as longer term
actions need to be identified to move the city’s economy forward over the next five years.
Key Objectives
The City’s strategic economic development planning process objectives include:
• providing the City of Barrie with guidance and support for efficient resource use and encourage
municipal staff and City Council’s knowledge development on economic development issues;
• identifying strategic directions and objectives that support Barrie’s current economic base
strengths and incorporate new economic growth opportunities;
• recommending a direction and tactics that support increased
inter-municipal collaboration among area municipal economic
development departments;
• identifying action plans for reaching the City’s goals and an
approach for monitoring and reviewing progress on strategy
implementation; and
• recommending a specific approach to ensure the City of
Barrie realizes its downtown revitalization vision.
Barrie - a key urban growth
node. The growth rate will
continue to attract residents,
visitors and business
investment.
Objective of study: Identifying
action plans for reaching the
City’s goals and an approach
for monitoring and reviewing
progress on strategy
implementation
City of Barrie Economic Development Strategy 5 | P age