Do you have ideas about where Prince Edward County needs to go over the next 10 years? The municipality wants to hear from you.
The County is beginning to lay the foundation for a community plan that will chart the direction forward over the next decade.
“A 10-year vision and plan for Prince Edward County – created in collaboration with the community – has never been done,” says Mayor Steve Ferguson. “With so many urgent and important conversations happening right now, it is time to start building a long-term vision together to guide current and future Councils and staff.”
The consultation will revolve around five broad areas of conversation:
- Strengthening County government’s engagement with the public
- Diversifying the County’s economy while preserving its historic character
- Aligning infrastructure investments and fiscal policy priorities
- Harnessing the benefits of tourism to improve residents’ quality of life
- Responding to the climate emergency and reduce the challenges faced
“People are talking about the future of the County all the time: at the coffee shop, the grocery store, or arena, as well as online spaces. We really want to tap into these discussions and start to build a common understanding and vision for where the County should be in 10 years,” says Marcia Wallace, the chief administrative officer (CAO) for the municipality.
All households in the County will receive a short survey in the mail in the coming weeks. Residents can fill out the survey and mail it back to the County free of charge. The survey is also available on the County’s Have Your Say consultation page.
The public is invited to learn more about the community plan and share their thoughts at a town hall gathering on Tuesday, March 7 from 6-8 pm at the Wellington and District Community Centre (111 Belleville Street, Wellington). More dates will be added if required.
The municipality is also working with community partners at Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce and The County Foundation to carry out additional focus groups with businesses and community organizations on the following dates:
- Community organizations focus group: Tuesday, February 28, 1-3 pm, Wellington and District Community Centre (111 Belleville Street)
- Business focus group: Wednesday, March 1, 1-3 pm, Wellington and District Community Centre (111 Belleville Street, Wellington)
If you are interested in participating in a focus group, email mailto:communications@pecounty.on.ca.
A community plan report will be presented to Council at the end of March. Council will draw on that report to develop a strategic plan for its term 2023-2026, which will be finalized in May 2023.