Progress

I will assume that since we have lost our Economic Development Officer (EDO) we will need to hire another. There is clearly a need for a new path and this moment may provide an opportunity.

We are talking about land annexation from South West Oxford (SWOX) to allow industrial, residential increase in Ingersoll’s tax base, but annexation comes with 2 weights that make it a poor plan. First is the need once we have our new lands to install and maintain the services needed. This is good but it erodes possible dollars from the tax base. The second and more potentially potent is the need to pay SWOX for the land and the loss of their potential tax revenue. Now SWOX has to provide service as well if they want to develop these lands so it not all roses either way. What does this have to do with acquiring a new EDO?

What if we enter into a discussion with SWOX and the Township of Zorra to share an Economic Development team? We would then share the cost of remuneration and expenses, saving each municipality some cash. What if part of that would be a tax revenue and services sharing plan? This would mean that if any piece of land in any 1 of the 3 municipalities was developed the other 2 would work with them to provide the services most cost effectively, and the tax revenue would be shared. Advertising, trips, conferences would also be shared saving us further.

To potential developers this would open up a greater swath of possibility for placement of plants and subdivisions. The plan would look progressive and broad in scope to investors which can only be good.

This sort of arrangement is difficult and requires good diplomacy and good planning on the part of all parties. It is the understanding that outside people would have about how challenging such a sharing arrangement would be to establish that would make us appealing to investors. Progressiveness breeds progress?

Some will state many valid reasons why it can’t be. However valid reasons only remain valid until you clear them away allowing change.

I am a believer in small government but big thinking. Our municipalities are our personal democracies. Let’s see them stay small but think (do) big.