Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan - Perth County

FindingErie Meats has recommissioned the formerCampbell Soup plant in Listowel for fullproduction.RBC is developing a data centre in Stratford.While the largest number of businesses are inagriculture, construction and retail trade, theindustries with the fastest growth areeducational services, finance and insuranceand information/cultural services.The automotive parts manufacturing andassembly sector has been hard hit withlayoffs, closures and over-capacity. Stratford,St. Marys and Perth have not been spared.Small business is important to the regionaleconomy. Of local businesses withemployees, 50.3% have 1-4 employees and22.7% have 5-9 employees. Only 26.9% havemore than 10 employees.Positive and/orNegative FindingImplication for the FutureEconomyThe agri-foodmanufacturing is resilientand opportunities continueto exist in this steadysector.There is potential for moreservices related to thisindustry sector in theregion.Current strengths are notnecessarily aligned withfuture opportunities.Employment levels in automanufacturing are unlikelyto return to previous highs.The labour force must beadaptable.Small business owners arecreating employment.Consideration needs to begiven to the ability ofsmaller employers todevelop in-house trainingprograms as well as workwith training providers indeveloping programs.Perth, St. Marys and Stratford Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 10 | P age