Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

Inspiring Rural Communities is a collection of stories from rural Ontario communities. It is inspired by people who see potential in their home towns and are eager to share their experiences

Building Business is Marathon's Goal

Like its name implies, the town of Marathon is involved in a long and strategic race. The
resource-rich, Northern Ontario community has analyzed its economic vital signs and started planning what's next for the town of 4,400. "We think that a high percentage of new jobs will likely come out of existing businesses," says Daryl Skworchinski, Marathon's Economic
Development Officer. "A better understanding of existing businesses marked the starting line for our planning efforts."

The next step for the Northern Ontario town was community involvement. "We set up a Leadership Task Force made up of 13 community and business leaders to guide our efforts," says Skworchinski.

The Task Force interviewed 65 businesses to understand what shape the community's
economic foundation was in. The businesses ranged from large, resource-based companies like Hemlo mines to main street retailers. While guaranteeing individual confidentiality, the
aggregate data started to put some colour on the canvas for the task force.

From the survey data, twelve priorities were identified. "These included business
development, employee retention, transportation, tourism, resource-based opportunities,
training and quality of living," says Skworchinski. "In each priority area, we wanted a plan for future economic growth." Those plans include an investment tracking strategy so Marathon can leverage the strengths identified in the business survey. Every action plan details goals,
responsibilities and a time frame for completion.

The other thing the surveys did was help us identify businesses in distress. "We called these Red Flag issues," says Skworchinski. "These are businesses with immediate troubles which could lead to relocation or closure. Without the survey, we might not have known where to intervene or how best to help."

Marathon turned to the Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR+E) for guidance on how to manage the whole process. "We looked at other communities which were using the BR+E Program," says Bob Hancherow, a task force member. "We talked with economic development people in Brockville, Espanola and Belleville and we liked what we heard about BR+E."

"Communication between business and civic officials has clearly been enhanced from this BR+E undertaking," according to Hancherow. "We've assessed our strengths and opportunities. I think we have the pulse of how business is really doing in our community and we can build a community strategy from there."

Hancherow believes that the BR+E Program recognizes the contribution that strong businesses make to the fabric of rural and northern communities and it puts a planning tool in the hands of community leaders.

Marathon business owner and town councillor, Iris Sullivan, remembers a time when she had to fight to retain an economic development officer in Marathon. She says few in the community
question that position today. Sullivan believes the Business Retention and Expansion Program, "has been enthusiastically undertaken in the community and it's further evidence of the town's resolve to plan for its future."

"Using the BR+E approach gives our town a proactive strategy," says Daryl Skworchinski. "It also links us with experienced rural development staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and funding support from their Rural Economic Development Program."

"Collaboration like this makes a difference in rural and Northern Ontario," says Leona
Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "The BR+E Program recognizes the
contribution that strong businesses make to the fabric of rural and northern communities and it puts a planning tool in the hands of community leaders."

Community leaders in Marathon used the BR+E Program to move from detailed surveys to
community action plans. Reflecting back on the process, Bob Hancherow would tell other
communities to give it a try. "If nothing else comes out of the process, the interviews themselves are so worthwhile. Going around to different businesses, shaking hands, asking BR+E-type
questions and getting responses tells you how you are doing as a community and what can be done to help."

For more information about Marathon's BR+E project please contact Daryl Skworchinski at edo@town.marathon.on.ca or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at 1-888-588-4111.

Visit www.ontario.ca/rural if you would like more information about the Rural Economic Development Program and projects partnering with it near you.

| Top of Page |

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-588-4111
Fax:1-519-826-4336
Email: red.omafra@ontario.ca