Economic Development
Valley Heartland provides regional economic development strategies and programming within Lanark County under the Lanark County Economic Development brand and service agreement with the county.
The partnership with Lanark County is built on a shared commitment to nurturing the economy, and labour market, supporting businesses, create and maintaining jobs. We achieve this through a collaboration that is open, ambitious and embraces innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Development and execution of County-wide Economic Development Strategies
- The initial point of contact for investors and developers looking to locate in the County
- Providing exploratory and preliminary assistance for site selection and relocation investment in preparation for lower-tier engagement
- Development and execution of marketing strategies
- Facilitation of quarterly Economic Development Alliance meetings
- Ongoing Economic Development Planning and BR+E activities
Strategies and Publications
Contact
Amber Coville
Business Development + Program Officer
613-283-7002 x 110
amber.coville@valleycfdc.com
Valley Heartland Community Futures
Valley Heartland is part of an established and collaborative network of 267 Community Futures offices across Canada that support rural businesses. Formally established in 1985, the Community Futures Program was implemented to support business development in rural and remote communities. Three decades later, Community Futures is Canada’s largest, most well-established national community economic development movement.
Valley Heartland manages a $7 million Community Investment Fund that provides financing for new or existing businesses and social enterprises for start-up, and expansion, in the Lanark County region. The investment fund is a uniquely Community Futures tool to stimulate economic development in rural communities, and local boards of directors make decisions at the community level. In addition, they operate the Valley Heartland Innovation Centre (VHIC), a one-stop-shop for accessing capital, advice, training, and a supportive environment for unconventional and actionable Economic Development projects.