Economic development 2.0

Ahandful of withering milkweeds poke through the gravel base amid the concrete footings of a proposed solar panel manufacturing plant in the industrial park in Picton. Not much else is growing there. By now, between 30 and 40 new, highpaying- green jobs were to be cranking out hundreds of thousands of photo voltaic solar panels each year. But nearly 12 months after the promoters told council they were in the “final phase” of preparations to erect the plant, only the milkweed has taken root.

The prospect this plant will ever get off the ground grows dimmer with each passing month. The solar panel industry is struggling with overcapacity, slower market demand than anticipated and competitive pressures from offshore producers. In Windsor United Solar and Siliken have both closed solar panel manufacturing plants in recent months, taking with them 480 promised jobs. Others existing manufacturers are said to be teetering. It is against this backdrop that the County’s brand new Community Development Commission begins to take shape. It is now that the ideals, aspirations and wish lists conjured over months of meetings and public consultation meet the hard reality of the marketplace.

The County has chosen three capable folks to guide its approach to economic development and attracting investment in this community.

This week the County announced that residents John Giraudy, Blake Vader and Tim Ward have been appointed to three of the seven seats on the commission. They join councillors Terry Shortt and Barb Proctor as well as Jeremiah MacKenzie, CEO of Taste The County and Mike McLeod, general manager of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

John Giraudy spent his career selling and marketing aircraft, rising to become president of Bombardier’s Regional Aircraft unit in this ultra competitive global market

Blake Vader knows County agriculture— where the industry has been and where it is going. He has a demonstrated ability to innovate to adapt to market conditions.

Tim Ward has built a successful and growing tourism resort at Quinte’s Isle Campark. As the family run business has grown, the Wards have expanded beyond the vacation experience to recreational vehicle sales and services and further into cottage sales.

Each of these folks understand what it means to meet a payroll, compete for market share and continually innovate to stay ahead of a shifting marketplace. These are important and welcome additions to this new commission.

It is not clear, however, how council will respond to the message these folks bring to Shire Hall. Some around the horseshoe stubbornly cling to the notion that municipality must use its scant resources in an attempt to woo high-paying manufacturing and industrial jobs to Prince Edward County. They refuse to heed the opinions they have bought and paid for that explain that Prince Edward County doesn’t have the transportation infrastructure, industrial base and skilled workforce that would attract a manufacturer to set up here versus, say, Belleville, Cornwall or Michigan.

It is not clear either how well these folks will respond if council chooses to give the commission a deaf ear—to ignore its advice and insight. Or worse. County Council has a well-established track record of shooting the economic development messenger when his views don’t match their own.

The new commission members surely understand that Prince Edward County has a rich and diverse bounty of competitive advantages with which to attract investment and drive economic growth. They understand the difference between a wish list and real opportunity. A lot of milkweed grows between the two.

Will council listen?

rick@wellingtontimes.ca