By Frank Scarcello
The Greater Sudbury Development Corp. (GSDC) is embarking on a new process to develop a comprehensive medium- and long-term economic development strategy for the next 10 to 20 years, with the first consultation with community stakeholders slated for Sept. 11.
John Caruso, chair of the development corporation, says that previous strategic plans focusing on long-term economic development, like Sudbury 20/20, Next Ten Years and the New Way were developed prior to the creation of Greater Sudbury and that a new strategic plan is necessary to take into account the new amalgamated municipality.
“There is a pile of paper out there.” Caruso says, “We decided what we need to do is take all that information, and re-visit it, and then to have some strategic consultations with leaders in the community, both in the public and private sector, as well as interest groups.”
Another key objective is to develop a vision, mission and key values for the GSDC.
The GSDC has retained the services of the consulting firm Pickard and Laws to facilitate the process. Caruso says the firm recently completed some work for the City of Hamilton, which has also gone through an amalgamation process.
“We went to Hamilton and met with their folks and looked at the work this firm had done for them, and we are really impressed with the way that they helped the community identify what their long-term objectives should be,” says Caruso.
The project has been divided into three phases. Phase 1, which sets up the planning foundation has been completed. Phase 2, which is presently underway, begins with identifying the stakeholders and contacting them prior to Sept.11 in order to ask for participation in the process.
“We want to seek from them their input and thoughts and where they see this community going,” says Caruso.
Caruso says the process is expected to be completed by April 2003, and the results presented to city council for their review. The cost of the project is $135,000; the GSDC has made an application to FedNor to help with the cost.
