Economic Development Services
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
445 Grand Avenue West, P.O. Box 944
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5L3
Tel: 1-866-542-5994 / (519) 351-7700
Fax: (519) 351-7852
Email: Ckeds@chatham-kent.ca
The following individuals work in support of the department's mandate by supporting the six pillars of the economy:
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Director, Economic Development Services
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Manager, Business Retention & Attraction
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Business Development Coordinator
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Agricultural Coordinator
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Service/Commercial Coordinator
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Tourism Development Coordinator
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Entrepreneurship Services Coordinator
Economic Development Services' mandate is to promote Chatham-Kent as a location for business, industry and tourism destinations. Economic Development Services is uniquely qualified to assist the communities of Chatham-Kent – big and small – to strengthen local economies and business infrastructure.
Economic Development Services manages partnerships on behalf of Chatham-Kent through community organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Areas, and provincial and national bodies such as the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), and the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) to enhance Chatham-Kent's role as a key stakeholder in the overall growth of the Province.
The department is comprised of six complementary functional areas as follows:
Business Attraction Services
The role of Business Attraction Services is to communicate with senior national and international business leaders and Provincial and Federal government decision-makers, with the objective of identifying Chatham-Kent as a potential location for new investment. Further, Business Attraction Services works to achieve recognition for Chatham-Kent's contribution to the overall development and growth of Ontario. Business Attraction Services maintains important relationships and audiences with decision makers at the Provincial level in sectors such as automotive, finance, education, health care, and information technology.
Business Development Services
Increasingly, there is an identified need for business retention and expansion, and the department provides services to maintain strong local relationships with the existing business community. The role of the Business Development Coordinator is to be the local champion for business in the communities of Chatham-Kent. The Coordinator plays a pivotal role in gathering "community intelligence" in support of local business' specific issues and acts as a spokesperson on local issues and related business matters.
Entrepreneurial Services
The role of Entrepreneurial Services is to provide business start-up support to new entrepreneurs in the communities of Chatham-Kent. Entrepreneurial Services operates a Enterprise Centres under an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Direct access to Ontario government computerized business registration is available to entrepreneurs in Chatham-Kent.
Agricultural Services
Agricultural Services provides the local agricultural community with business planning and information relative to sector activities in the communities of Chatham-Kent. Through a partnership with the University of Guelph/Ridgetown College location, Agricultural Services also provides business support services through the Ag Business Centre.
Service/Commercial Services
The role of Service/Commercial Coordinator is to promote opportunities and provide support to the existing service and commercial sectors in the communities of Chatham-Kent. Service/Commercial Services works cooperatively with local community organizations such as Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Areas in support of service and commercial sector issues and activities.
Tourism Services
Tourism Services is the Destination Management Organization (DMO) for Chatham-Kent.
The Tourism mandate includes directing external marketing efforts, supporting product development initiatives, and providing partnership opportunities for Tourism stakeholders.
Tourism Services also operates a year round visitor information centre for Chatham-Kent.
For additional information on the services provided through the Offices of Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services or to get in touch with one of the members of the staff, please call 1-866-542-5994 or email CKeds@chatham-kent.ca