Overview

As a ‘next step’ to the Community Improvement Plan initiative, the Township of Lake of Bays is preparing to update its Economic Development Strategy. This project will assist the Township in examining and reevaluating current economic development challenges, opportunities, and goals, and create a framework to support future development and investment in the Township. The strategy intends to identify the most effective and impactful ways to support and grow business within the Township of Lake of Bays and ensure the community is a great place to live and work in.

Introduced in 2017, the Township’s previous strategy has served as a useful tool in advancing Lake of Bays’ economy. However, many major changes have occurred since its introduction. The COVID pandemic, for example, has affected economic activity across the world, including travel/tourism patterns, virtual work habits, societal inequities, food insecurities, community events, housing affordability, and much more. Updating the Economic Development Strategy will allow the Township to address these types of challenges and support the evolving needs and resiliency of the community. Ultimately, an updated strategy will strengthen the Township and make Lake of Bays a more attractive destination for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

Finding the best balance between economic, environmental, and community objectives will be an important consideration for this strategy, and your input will be key in guiding that. The economic development strategy update process will involve comprehensive community consultation and research. There will be many opportunities to share your ideas on opportunities for change and improvement including through online and in-person surveys, community discussion and drop-in workshops, and social media engagement.

Public Engagement

Community, business, and stakeholder consultations will occur between November, 2023 and February, 2024. This engagement website will be updated regularly with information on the process and how to contribute as the project unfolds to keep you informed and up to date.

We encourage you to regularly visit this website and the Township’s social media channels over the coming months as we launch a ‘Question of the Week’ campaign designed to garner important feedback from the community. Other forms of consultation will include public information sessions, in-person focus groups, workshops, and surveys.

Events

Survey

Participants are able to take the Economic Development Strategy Survey below or directly on the survey page.

Timeline

🔘 Early Priorities
September 2023
- Staff and consultants strategically consider previous concerns and values expressed by our businesses and residents to direct public engagement for the Economic Development Strategy

⚫ Public Engagement
November 2023 to February 2024
- Conduct surveys to capture businesses’, community members’, and community organizations’ thoughts on the best opportunities, challenges, concerns, and ideas related to economic development.
- Host Community Workshops where businesses, organizations, and residents will be invited to share their perspectives on the proposed goals and tactics of the updated strategy.

⚫ Draft Strategy
March 2024
- Share survey and engagement findings, along with the draft strategy, for public review.

⚫ Strategy Presentation to Council for Approval
April 2024