Growing Forward 2 Ontario Organizations & Collaborations Deadline - February 16, 2017

The Growing Forward 2 Ontario: Organizations and Collaborations stream provided government grants to support the partnership of non-profit organizations, small businesses, and research/academic institutions who are enhancing the abilities, yields, and productivity of Ontario's agriculture industry. 

Eligible applicants may receive up to 50-75% of expenses to a maximum $500,000 in Ontario government grants. 

The five-year (2013-2018) program is designed to support the success of Ontario's agriculture industry. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), GF2 Ontario's Organizations and Collaborations stream provided provincial grants to agri-based producers and processors seeking to adopt innovative practices, increase competitiveness, and sustain strategic collaborations. 

The final application intake deadline is February 16, 2017. 

Eligibility Criteria

Don't miss out on our relevant, highly-practical and interactive workshops!

Aside from our roster of outstanding keynote presentations, don't miss out on our relevant, highly-practical and interactive workshops! Here are just a few to get you started…

•  Planning 101 – The basics of planning for economic developers
•  Driving Entrepreneurship Ecosystems for Scaling Up
•  How Economic Development and Assessment Work Together
•  Help Build the Workforce of Tomorrow
•  Innovative Immigration Tools to Support your Community
•  Investing in Green Innovation
•  Understanding Economic Impact in Rural Ontario: Analyst's Input-Output Model
•  The Global Economy – What it Means to Ontario
•  A View from the Lower 48: US Executives Perception of Canada's Business Climate
•  The "new" Ministry of International Trade – working together to ensure success
•  Data Centres: Why they might be interested in your community and why you should be interested in them

Check out the full program for information on keynotes, workshops, and fun-filled networking activities!

Advancing your Career at EDCO!

The EDCO Conference features in-depth education sessions to not only be relevant to your day-to-day job but also to benefit your career. Attend the conference and receive 2 points towards earning your Ec.D. Designation. EDCO 2017 is also recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts towards Level III recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs).

60th Anniversary photo contest

Help us celebrate the 60th Anniversary by submitting your photo or video memories to our photo contest! For all the details, click here.

Get ready to Connect, Learn, and Be Inspired! EDCO's focus is to help YOU build your Career, Connections and Community.

Find out more… For information on partnership opportunities, please visit the EDCO Conference website at http://www.edcoconference.com or contact Marie-Claude Bureau, by email / (819) 230-5565. To discuss your registration, please contact Brittany Bruce by email at  grow@edco.on.ca / (514) 377-4462.

The EDCO office will be closed December 27, 2016 to January 2, 2017. 

We look forward to celebrating our 60th year with you in 2017! 

In this month's Exchange:

• A holiday message from EDCO
• Monthly roundup of innovation news
• New resources in our online library
• Upcoming events
• Employment opportunities 

Congratulations to EDCO members Grey County, Ottawa, Pickering and Sarnia Lambton for being named to the SMART21 Communities of 2017 list! 

Click for full list:

http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/smart21

The EDCO Young Professionals Network Mentorship Program is designed to provide opportunities for experienced economic development developers to share information and experiences to assist new colleagues with their professional development and service delivery.  

If you are interested in being a mentor or becoming a mentee please email  Jason Dias  or  Rebecca Mustard.  

Click here for a full description of the program and testimonials from past mentors. 

2016 has been a busy year for EDCO and we are pleased to have been able to serve you, our valued members. We are looking forward to great 2017 filled with lots of opportunities for our members.

Renewal invoices are e-mailed out on January 1, 2017. Please check your emails and contact the EDCO office if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued support and participation.

As an EDCO member, you have the right to vote! Voting closes at midnight tonight, December 15, 2016. 

If you are an EDCO member, you received an email on December 14 with login details to vote for the 2017-2019 EDCO Board. Please check your inbox and junk folder for this email! 

When you login, you will see nine potential directors. Please vote for the four directors you would like to represent you on the EDCO board. 

If you have issues logging into eBallot, or if you have any other questions, please email Brittany Bruce at grow@edco.on.ca. 

Host an EDAC Conference in your Community

Is your community interested in hosting EDAC's Annual Professional Development Conference?

EDAC is currently planning their 2018, 2019, 2020 Conference locations and themes. Bringing 300+ economic development professionals and other delegates from across Canada, an EDAC Conference showcases and makes a significant positive economic impact on their host community each year.

For more information on how to prepare a proposal, contact Penny by January 13, 2017: gardiner@edac.ca / 905-689-8771

EDCO's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 8 a.m. at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre at 525 Bay Street, Toronto, ON. 

All EDCO members in good standing are welcome to attend.