The County’s economic development and tourism department is looking to attract private sector investors, land a branded hotel chain, and help better promote Stanhope Municipal Airport.
At a Sept. 24 council meeting, director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, and manager of tourism, Angelica Ingram, presented a draft investment attraction plan.
They said they want to entice more diversified accommodation; highlight available properties for development; and put together intermunicipal investmentreadiness teams to support, and streamline, private sector investment inquiries.
They are applying for funding under the new Rural Ontario Development Program (RODP), which offers up to $150,000 on a 50/50 cost share basis. Ovell said they’d like to get $35,000 from the province, and chip in $35,000 from the County.
The director said the County continues to grow, but with an aging population. “This strategy aims to target economic sectors that could succeed in Haliburton to attract new investment to support the growing population. The County needs to continue to diversify its economy to ensure we have a resilient economic base that weathers change in the micro and macroeconomic environment.”
He added, “tourism growth is outpacing accommodation supply. Visitors, event organizers, and tour operators struggle to find reliable, year-round places to stay. Short-term rentals are unstable. They come and go depending on regulation, costs, and seasons. No flagship hotel or conference lodge exists. This limits our ability to host weddings, corporate retreats, or multi-day events.” And, while close to the GTA and Ottawa for weekend getaways and remote work hubs, Ovell said the County lacks the infrastructure to fully capture that market.
Ingram, coming up on two years as tourism manager, said one constant concern she hears is the need for more accommodation, particularly family-friendly, largerstyle, lodgings. “We have really wonderful boutique hotels and inns and smaller adult-only resorts but what’s missing is accommodation for hockey tournaments, conferences, large-scale weddings and events.”
Some of their ideas include hosting a Haliburton investment summit, for investors, developers and “local champions.” They’d like to launch a ‘why invest in Haliburton’ brand and portal with properties, supports and success stories. Other strategies include: engaging hotel brands with a feasibility study as a conversation starter; digital marketing and PR campaigns to reach local and out-of-market audiences; highlight serviced lands with interactive maps and realtor partnerships; and position Stanhope Municipal Airport “as an underutilized strategic asset, with the County taking the lead with marketing activities and tactics related to the airport.”
Coun. Murray Fearrey lauded the initiative, calling it the most positive thing he had seen so far in this term of council. He said in the past, municipalities waited for people to come to them, but now “we’re asking to bring them here.”
Coun. Jennifer Dailloux asked for an example of an investor. Ovell said smaller, niche manufacturing, similar to a business such as Heat-Line. Dailloux liked the answer, as opposed to big box stores and major brands. “Our identity is about local artisan, mom and pop stores. It’s where our social beauty comes from, and why people want to come here.”
