October 28, 2020 eNewsletter
Ontario East Events
Visit the Ontario East Events Calendar and stay up-to-date on what's happening
in Eastern Ontario. If you have any on-line events that you would like us to share,
please forward to info@ontarioeast.ca
Ontario East Municipal Conference 2020 (OEMC) 
To everyone who participated in the Virtual Ontario East Municipal Conference 2020 on October 21st and 22nd - thank you!

If you have not already done so, please be sure to complete the OEMC Evaluation while the details are still fresh in your mind.
Your feedback and comments are important to us as we review our first ever virtual conference.

And please make sure to visit the OEMC Virtual Exhibit Hall by 1:00pm, Friday, October 30, 2020. There is still time to connect with our sponsors and win a $100.00 Gift Card!
Each sponsor showcase has a contact card pop-up. Visit each virtual booth and fill in the contact card to be entered into a draw to win a Gift Card to a local restaurant or store in your municipality (gift card provided by OEMC)! There are three chances to win! Winners will be drawn after 1:00pm on Friday, October 30, 2020.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Ontario East News
If you have any news that you would like us to share, please forward to info@ontarioeast.ca
Eastern Ontario Workforce Development Update

OE-TISP: LMI Data Meeting This Week

The Ontario East Talent Identification OLMP Project (OE-TISP) has been acquiring data software and collaborating with licences already purchased in our region.

On Thursday Oct 29 at 2:00 pm, LMI experts across the region will gather to look at how best to use these tools for communications to job seekers and employers across our region, and in the interest of making sure every Ontario East member has access to these data tools when they need them.

If you are an LMI expert who did not know about this meeting - you don't have to miss out - email workforcedevelopment@ontarioeast.ca.
Ontario East Economic Development Commission
Seeking Members to Join the Board of Directors

Elections for the Board of Directors of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission will soon be held for the 2021-22 term of the Board. This is your opportunity to serve on the Board and assist in governance oversight and forming the strategic direction of the Commission. Participation on the Board of Directors provides an excellent professional development opportunity where you will be able to share ideas, learn and serve the Ontario East community along with your economic development peers.

Terms & Meetings
Directors are appointed for a two-year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, if re-elected for a second term. The Board meets a minimum of four times per year and for special meetings, as required.

Eligibility Criteria
The Board of Directors consists of a minimum of five (5) Active Members and up to two (2) Associate Members. Active Members are employed in economic development with a municipality or regional agency funded by municipalities. Associate Members are employed by an agency, organization involved in economic development through the private sector, educational system, or government. Members must be in Good Standing (dues paid) to be nominated and elected. This year nominations are being sought from Active members only.

Nomination Process
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past-President Shelley Hirstwood will receive and approve nominations for preparation of online election. Nominations must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020. 

Please send a request for the nomination form, in confidence to info@ontarioeast.ca

Enquiries may be directed to Jay Amer, Board Secretary @ jay@ontarioeast.ca
or (705) 755-1141
Ontario Supports the Production of Critical Supplies to Fight the Spread of COVID-19

News Release, October 16, 2020

Investment will increase the production of medical-grade alcohol in the province

Johnstown - The Ontario government continues to work together with businesses and the manufacturing sector to expand production of domestic PPE to ensure preparedness, both now and for the future. To support the fight against COVID-19, Greenfield Global is investing a total of $75 million at their facility in Johnstown Ontario to produce the medical-grade alcohol critical to making hand sanitizers used by Ontario individuals, families, and front-line workers. The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million through the Ontario Together Fund in support of this project.
New Intake for Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)

This intake for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund opened on October 19, 2020.

The deadline for applications in this intake period is December 1, 2020. The assessment of applications typically takes 60 business days.

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. The fund supports projects that:

  • create jobs and build talent
  • attract and encourage private sector investment
  • lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
  • encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development
EOLC Call for Expressions of Interest: Cross-Boundary
Commuter Transportation Pilot Projects

Date of Closing: November 3, 2020 5 PM EST

Background to the EOI:
A region-wide review of labour force commuting patterns in Eastern Ontario reveals that a significant share of the region’s 482,000-strong commuter base force travels back and forth to an entirely different census division for work purposes (26%). And a very large share (89%) is travelling by car. Roughly 60% of commuters are in the rural areas of Eastern Ontario, where conventional public transit does not exist.
At the same time, there is both anecdotal and statistical evidence to suggest that (at least before COVID) employers were reporting considerable difficulty in finding the workers they needed, and, that there were discernable signs of labour shortages (highly variable across the region).
In October of 2019, the EOLC’s Integrated, Intelligence Transportation System Working Group (I2TS) received notice that its funding application to the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development for a Commuter Strategy project had been approved. The original plan for the project --- and still the project mandate --- was to analyze cross-boundary commuter traffic, estimate demand for new or modified services that would improve labour mobility, and engage both clusters of communities and transportation service providers in testing solutions.

Next Steps:
Organizations with an interest in participating in the pilot project process are invited to signal that interest by providing the EOLC I2TS Working Group with basic information about any commuter transportation service being contemplated in a specific part of the region.
Ontario East's New Mailing Address
Ontario East Economic Development Commission
623 Fortune Crescent
Suite 100
Kingston ON K7P 0L5
Ontario East Economic Development Commission
613-634-8569| info@ontarioeast.ca| ontarioeast.ca