Prince Edward County is looking at measures to help grow skilled trades in the area after the results of a recent survey have been returned.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Prince Edward County council has directed staff to begin work on new measures to encourage developing more skilled tradespeople in the county. The new initiatives sprang from a report on the Skilled Trades & Construction Business Retention + Expansion Survey results.
The first measure is to engage with a consultant on possible revisions to Economic Development, Development Services, and Planning policies and procedures, with a goal of improving those services for the business community. The consultant is to be funded by 2024’s Rural Economic Development funding.
The second project is to build a list of properties, both public and private, that are under-developed while being zoned for industrial, manufacturing, or employment use. With permission of the landowner, these sites would be promoted on the county website.
A third project is to set aside funds in the 2025 budget to hire a specialist to determine future needs for Employment Lands, and have those results used to update the Picton, Wellington and Rossmore secondary plans.
The final project is to have staff determine if allowing temporary housing for skilled tradespeople and construction workers on job sites is viable, and return to council with recommendations in early 2025.
The motion prompted significant debate among the committee. Councillor Roy Pennell took aim at the fourth item allowing temporary housing. He said he wasn’t convinced making it easier to bring in workers from outside the county would result in lower home prices for residents.
“I personally have great concerns, supplying temporary houses for outside workers,” said Councillor Pennell. “If we go within a 60-mile radius of Prince Edward County, we’ve got every possible person available, and if they’re not, then I don’t think there should be any support from us to bring in workers from long distances.”
Councillor David Harrison suggested expanding the temporary housing consideration to hospitality businesses.
“The biggest demand I hear of out there for temporary housing is definitely in the hospitality business,” said Councillor Harrison. “Every year I hear it from multiple proprietors of businesses, the restaurant business, other hospitality businesses. And I think any initiative in that direction would certainly be appreciated by that sector as well.”
The committee voted to approve all four items, and the lot was sent on to council for final approval.
