2026 EDCO Regional Event: October 7 and 8

Township of Clearview is hosting EDCO's Central Regional Professional Development Event on October 8th, 2026!

October 7 and 8th, 2026

Registration link: EDCO Clearview Regional Event 2026

October 7th, 2026 -Pre-Conference Day

1:00 to 4:00 pm EDCO Pre-Conference Seminar: Investing in Our Future: Why Economic Development Matters

EDCO is pleased to offer our Central Ontario Elected Officials Investing in Our Future: Why Economic Development Matters on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 , at Creemore Station on the Green.

This focused half‑day session is designed for elected officials and senior municipal leaders who want a clear, practical understanding of how economic development influences long‑term community prosperity. Participants will explore what economic development truly is, what it is not, and how municipal decisions directly shape business growth, investment readiness, and overall community vibrancy.

Please note: Registration is $25 (+HST) and includes morning refreshments. Please note Registration is required to attend and separate from the regional event registration, limited space is available, secure your spot today!

Register for Elected Official Pre-Seminar

1:00 to 4:00 pm MRA Pre-workshop: Building the Skills for a Successful BR+E Project

This interactive workshop focuses on the core skills and practical steps needed to deliver an effective Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project in your community. Participants will gain hands-on experience in planning and conducting meaningful business interviews, reviewing and interpreting BR+E data, and translating findings into clear, actionable priorities. The session emphasizes moving from information gathering to implementation, with a focus on practical tools that can be applied immediately at the local level.

Please Note: Registration for this workshop is separate from the main event. Very limited spaces, more details and registration below.

Register for MRA Pre-workshop

October 8th, 2026

Agenda:

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Registration & Networking

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM – Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:10 AM – 10:10 AM – Idea Exchange

Facilitated peer to peer connecting and learning session. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, co-create and approve a live agenda. Then choose your own adventure as you dig into topics and conversations that create value, spark ideas, channel inspiration, and lead to action.

Speaker: Tim Newton, SGB SBEC

10:10 AM – 10:20 AM – Coffee and Networking Break

10:20 AM – 11:05 AM – Planning for Growth: A Rural Municipality's Perspective on Economic Development

What does it really take to support economic development in a rural municipality and what do planners need from their economic development partners to make it work? This session offers a practical look at municipal planning through the lens of Clearview Township, a rural community navigating rapid change, infrastructure constraints, and an evolving regulatory landscape.

The Director of Planning for the Township of Clearview will walk participants through the fundamentals of municipal planning as they relate to economic development, share lessons learned from Clearview's recent Zoning Bylaw Review, and explore how changes to planning policy are reshaping investment attraction and business development in rural Ontario.

Speaker: Derek Abbotts, Director of Planning & Building, Clearview Township

11:05 AM – 11:15 AM – Coffee and Networking Break

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Walker Duntroon Quarry Tour

Attendees will be on a bus for the majority of the tour (no safety gear needed)

We will have the opportunity to view a scheduled blast; for individuals sensitive to noise, they may want to bring headphones

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch and Networking Break

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Panel Discussion: Sustainable Resource Extraction: Balancing Environment and Economy

Moderator: Ryan Dosch, Walker Industries

Speakers:

Ryan Dosch: General Manager – Aggregates, Simcoe Aggregates & Construction Divisi