Following the release of the official statement from the Board of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) this morning, Peterborough County would like to reiterate, as part of our ongoing commitment to support services for businesses, residents, and visitors within Peterborough County, that we are undertaking a strategic transition of Economic Development and Tourism services from a regional platform to inhouse operations.

The decision to transition these vital services stems from the notice received from the City of Peterborough regarding the non-renewal of the agreement for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) services beyond December 31, 2024. In response, in April, Peterborough County established a dedicated Economic Development Transition Committee comprised of council members, including Mayor Senis, Mayor Watson, and Mayor Martin, alongside the Warden, and proficient county and township staff. This collaborative effort aims to formulate a comprehensive plan for smoothly integrating economic development and tourism services within the County post-2024.

The Economic Development Transition Committee, as part of their Phase 1 recommendations, has a report going to County Council on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024. You can find the Council Agenda and the report and presentation here: June 5th County Council Agenda.

We have taken great care to ensure alignment with Peterborough County’s new Strategic Plan and want to reassure our community that all decisions are well-considered and promise to work towards a smooth transition. We remain committed to working collaboratively with our eight Townships, PKED’s Dissolution Committee and the City of Peterborough throughout this process.

Central to the plan is a focus on enhancing efficiencies, primarily through the integration of Economic Development with the Planning Division. This recommendation of the Committee, in Phase 1, aims to streamline promotional endeavors, fostering closer collaboration between land use planning and economic growth. Additionally, the integration promises enhanced services and optimized resource utilization, encompassing our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Communications divisions.

In addition, recognizing the vital role of the visitor economy plays in our region’s success, the Committee has recommended to expand its communications division to incorporate tourism promotion and development. The objective is to continue effectively promoting our region to visitors, engaging them, and showcasing our tourism attractions and assets. Depending on the outcome of the Phase 1 recommendations from the County’s Economic Development Transition Committee at the June 5th Council meeting, we anticipate issuing further communications.

Attachments

Media Release Ptbo County Official Statement PKED