Belleville’s newest city committee, Economic and Destination Development, isn’t wasting any time getting down to business.
At its meeting on Thursday, the committee decided to take a close look at the idea of an RV park in the city and a possible conference centre.
Staff will investigate applying for $25,000 to fund a study on these two ideas.
Chair Councillor Ryan Williams tells Quinte News the issue of a budget for economic development is a serious matter.
Ruth Estwick of the Quinte Homebuilders Association indicated the lack of skilled labour is still a concern.
Estwick told the committee the association is trying to address the situation by working with the local school board and Loyalist College.
Manager of Economic Development Karen Sharpe says it has come a long way, “At one time the apprentice programs had 10 people, now it’s up to 300.”
Belelville’s Economic and Destination Development Committee, July 4, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Williams says it is an issue the committee will deal with.
He spoke of more housing for the city. “The economic development arm of that is do we have enough skilled trades, do we have enough home builders that can do the work. The large proportion of it is commercial and housing taxes and the current existing house owners are fed up with taxes. That’s enough. So we have to focus on new homes new units in the city for multiple reasons.”
