Community Economic Development

Overview

The CDC undertakes a limited number of community economic development initiatives of strategic economic development importance to the community. The CDC works closely with partners in both the public and private sectors to plan, initiate, facilitate, manage and administer projects to create sustainable jobs.

Criteria:

In an effort to focus attention on community economic development activities which best serve the CDC’s mandate, a set of criteria was developed by the Corporation. These criteria are designed to assist in the decision-making process.

Primary:

• Creates short and/or long-term jobs;
• Creates or sustains community infrastructure;
• Potential to lever outside funds; and
• Does not compromise the implementation of the strategic plan.

Secondary:

• Is not adequately being done by other organizations;
• Meets a need or provides a needed service;
• Benefits (economic and non-economic) exceed costs;
• Can be turned over to other parties at the appropriate point in time; and
• Has an implementation horizon of up to one year.

The CDC provides the following services for community development activities:

• Facilitating, co-ordinating and liaison for projects/issues
• Project and program management and administration
• Financial management
• Policy analysis and development
• Research and report writing
• Public consultation and community economic development information services
• Local Initiatives Fund – up to a $5,000 contribution to not-for-profit charitable organizations.
To see examples of the kind of CED work the CDC gets involved with, check out our CDC Fact Sheet.

Other CED initiatives and partnerships the CDC is involved with include:

Strategic Planning & Labour Force Development

• Sault Ste. Marie – Destiny Sault Ste. Marie (Economic Diversification Strategy – Partner)
• Community Quality Initiative (CQI)
• Algoma Workforce Development Group (Partner)

Partnerships

• Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC)
• Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) – (member)
• Innovation Centre
• IMS – partner
• CFDC – Superior East – affiliate
• CFDC – East Algoma – affiliate

Technology
• AdNet – (member)
• Community Access Program (CAP) sites
• IRAP

Exporting
• Exporting Initiative – (partner)

Tourism
• ExploreNorthernOntario.com
• Algoma Regional & Area Trails Study
• Algoma Kinniwabi
• Tourism Sault Ste. Marie