Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
Clustering projects under major themes also makes it easier for municipal staff to include Strategic
Plan considerations in their decision-making.
For example, if a new funding program emerges for a project that falls under these themes but has
not been explicitly identified, it may be appropriate to add it to the Plan. But if the funding does
not address any of the themes, staff should think very carefully about whether to allocate scarce
resources to something that is not considered “strategic”. In the next section, we describe each of
the projects identified in the four strategic directions.
The Five Key Directions
6.2 Key Direction 1: Strengthen the Business Community
The community will pursue projects that build local business capacity, and support an
environment that encourages new investment. The strategic projects that will help strengthen the
Cochrane business community include:
1.1 Hire a full-time Economic Development Officer (EDO).
1.2 Encourage internet adoption by local businesses.
1.3 Reinvigorate the local Board of Trade.
1.4 Align the strategic directions of CTS and NOW with this strategic plan.
1.5 Explore the feasibility of a brick factory.
1.6 Continue to leverage the Cochrane Brand.
6.3 Key Direction 2: Grow the Agricultural Sector
Cochrane will invest in plans and projects that facilitate the growth of its agricultural sector,
including secondary product creation and marketing. The strategic projects that will help grow the
agricultural sector in Cochrane are:
2.1 Centralize resources to support improved acreage productivity.
2.2 Improve municipal awareness of and responsiveness to agricultural sector.
2.3 Promote consumption of local products.
2.4 Solicit and promote available agricultural land in Cochrane.
2.5 Strengthen collaboration with NeCN to encourage agricultural production in Cochrane.
2.6 Explore feasibility of a greenhouse adjacent to a waste heat source.
6.4 Key Direction 3: Leverage Transportation Assets
The Town will invest in transportation projects that build competitive advantage by enhancing
existing assets, including the highway, rail and airport. The strategic projects that Cochrane should
undertake to leverage its transportation assets are:
3.1 Improve Highway 11 Assets.
3.2 Increase rail usage.
3.3 Maximize use of Airport.
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