What is Economic Development?
Economic Development is a process that influences the growth and well being of a community through such means as job creation, job retention, improved tax base, and a reasonable quality of life.
Economic Development can offer a wide array of strategies to:
- secure a healthy economy in communities,
- help small business grow,
- lead major development projects
- secure outside investments through business attraction
- retain existing opportunities,
- secure access to capital
- marketing and communication
Economic development can mean different things to different people. To youth, it means employment opportunities when they enter the workforce; to those now employed, it means employment alternatives leading to rising family incomes; to the municipal council, it means increased payrolls in the community, resulting in increased tax revenues to provide better services to the populace; to other its may mean improved educational or recreational or health services in the community.
What are Neebing's Economic Development goals?
The Neebing Economic Development Advisory Committee was created to assist with economic development in the community. The Committee is mandated to:
a) liaise with potential developers to provide information and encouragement;
b) look for and identify opportunities for development;
c) assist the Corporation with legwork and development work associated with these opportunities;
d) assist the Corporation with research associated with development possibilities;
e) make recommendations to the Corporation for marketing and developing the community; and
f) liaise with, provide information to, and support local business endeavours.
The goals and priorities of the Committee are to
- Create economic growth by promoting business retention and expansion, touris, and cultural activities
- Build an environment where businesses establish a vibrant and sustainable Municipality capitalizing on rural character.
- Improve the quality of life in Neebing.
Business Success Stories in Neebing
Early Snows Pottery
Fritz Lehmberg owner of Early Snows Pottery made his first “bowl” in 1971. Early Snows Pottery studio is located at 4485 Highway 61 P7L 0B4 in Neebing. The hours of operation are by appointment only. He uses a wood fire kiln to produce pots and bowls with an “aged” rustic look.
H & P Jams and Jellies
H&P Jams and Jellies have over 31 flavours of jam, 17 flavours of jelly, and 3 flavours of sugar-free jams. H&P Jams and Jellies is a home-based business that’s products are sold at the Thunder Bay Country Market. Many local ingredients are used in these products.
Slate River Dairy
In 1996, Jim and Wilma bought their own farm which they called Riverbend Farm, for the Slate River bends right through their property. With the love of caring for the animals that produce a high-quality raw milk came a passion to transfer this high-quality raw milk into high quality dairy products. Jim and Wilma had seen a decline of quality in dairy products on the store shelves and so decided to “put milk back into dairy products."
The Bakeshop on Boundary
The Bakeshop on Boundary is more than a bakeshop - they are expanding in pastas, pizza, and sandwiches. The Bakeshop on Boundary also has take-out options and a small outdoor dining area. They have frozen goodies that can be taken home to enjoy freshly baked treats on a regular basis. They support local businesses whenever they can. The Bakeshop on Boundary is expanding down different avenues, but their pastries are still a must in Neebing.
Thunder Oak Cheese Farm
At Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, the Scheps Family brings the experience and tradition of Dutch cheese-making. Thunder Oak Cheese Farm is the first farm in Ontario that produced Gouda cheese. Thunder Oak has been producing award winning creamy Dutch cheese since 1995. Thunder Oak is located at 611 Boundary Drive Neebing, Ontario P7L 0C2. Thunder Oak is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00am – 5:00pm.