Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
would then develop a business case or prospectus for each opportunity. This prospectus is then
sent to investors, companies and other organizations that are in this sector, to ensure they know
about Cochrane as a viable, potential location.
For example, based on the competitive advantage model, a brick manufacturer might be an
appropriate investor to pursue The three most important categories for brick manufacturing
expenses are the cost of materials and supplies; cost of energy, water and fuel; and production
worker wages.86
Cochrane’s location on Canada’s Great Claybelt, and its access to relatively cheap waste heat
address two of those three categorie s, giving it a competitive advantage as compared to most other
communities. See Appendix F for more details on the markets, potential revenues and costs
associated with developing a brick manufacturing project.
Other sectors in which Cochrane may have some advantages for manufacturers include agriculture
and forestry.
Potential Community Leaders
The Town of Cochrane.
Potential Funding Sources
• FedNor’s Community Development Fund, page 95.
• NOHFC’s Strategic Economic Infrastructure Program, page 100.
• Northern Business Opportunity Program, page 101.
• MTCU’s Targeted Wage Subsidy, page 101.
• Youth Employment Fund, page 102.
See Appendix E for more details on these funding programs.
7.2 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.
Cochrane sits on the fertile soils of the Northern Clay Belt, and the community has a strong
agricultural history. Advantages for agriculture in the region include:
• Land prices in the Cochrane area are substantially lower than in Southern Ontario.
• Some increasingly popular crops, such as quinoa, grow well in the region.
86
Government of Canada (2013). Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS): Concrete Pipe, Brick and Block Manufacturing
(NAICS 32733). Available at: http://tinyurl.com/kx4fg4y
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