November 5, 2003
Being just out of college and selected by Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation as their FedNor Youth Intern, I never imagined that I would be fortunate enough to take part in such a significant achievement. Being immersed into their Muskoka Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Program and coordinating such a major undertaking in Huntsville, has enabled me to gain abundant experience. Such an ambitious volunteer business involvement project has never been done in Muskoka before.
Muskoka Community Futures introduced the BR+E Program to the Huntsville Economic Development Advisory Committee, who recognized its value to further the industrial-commercial strategic planning process that identified a need for Huntsville to acquire more information about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing its own business community. In addition to making BR+E available, Muskoka Community Futures provided the time and services of a coordinator, and that’s where I came in.
A BR+E Committee of eleven volunteer members and two advisors met weekly for months, to discuss the specific measurements and tactics that would be taken in order to complete a successful program.
Approximately 35 additional dedicated volunteers were trained to assist in the business interview process. The amazing devotion of these highly experienced community leaders will most definitely benefit the community for years to come.
By program completion, over 50 Huntsville business owners were interviewed, sharing their opinions about various issues of the community at large, and identifying any red (threat) or green (opportunity) flag issues they felt needed to be addressed. I inputted the resulting data into a complex computer program and, in collaboration with the BR+E Team, produced a comprehensive report. At regular intervals, the business participants were informed of progress, and the BR+E Team set out to tackle company specific red flag issues, and were able to aggregate recurring issues and developed their own specific action plans to tackle them.
Because of the Committee members, volunteers and business owners, many initiatives are currently underway to make Huntsville an even better place to live, work, and play. And because of volunteer action and the support of Muskoka Community Futures, this progress has not been at a cost to Huntsville taxpayers.
The Huntsville BR+E Committee listened to what business owners, as community representatives, had to say and in response are doing things about it. Results from this program are already having an impact on the way Muskoka’s communities will grow. From the formation of a Huntsville Human Resources Association to organizing a customer service workshop, from hosting meetings between Lakeland Power, Hydro One and Huntsville businesses to discuss issues, to working to improve transportation issues, this program has proved that the BR+E Committee and the Town of Huntsville care about a healthy economy and what citizens have to say.
As my role winds down in Huntsville I am actively working with volunteers and the Town of Bracebridge to undertake the BR+E Program there. I look forward to helping to contribute the same accomplishments as in Huntsville to other Muskoka municipalities. Muskoka Community Futures makes the program and coordination assistance available to all Muskoka Communities. I’d be happy to provide more information, call me, Kristy Cairns, at 705-646-9511x25.
For me and hundreds of other graduates throughout Northern Ontario, FedNor’s Youth Intern Initiative has provided valuable working experiences and a strong chance to find a career without leaving home. The Initiative is now available to place Interns in private businesses. Information on that may be gained by contacting Cheryl Forth with FedNor at 705-746-4547.
Kristy Cairns
Project Coordinator
Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation
705-646-9511 x24
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