Community Development Strategy approved

There’s a lot of apprehension about Prince Edward County’s new Community Development Strategy.

Councillors last night for half an hour peppered CAO Merlin Dewing with questions about the strategy before agreeing to it.

Dewing says there are $300,000 reserved in the 2012 budget for moving forward with the strategy, but he says that amount is just a placeholder until a new group called the Community Development Commission decides how to spend it.

The strategy and the commission have been developed by consultant Deb Williams and aim to replace the former economic development office.

Williams says the next step is to advertise within the community for layman appointees.

Two councillors – Barb Proctor and Terry Shortt – were voted in last night as council appointees to the commission, and representation by Taste the County and the Chamber of Commerce will be automatic.