Cochrane Five Year Strategic Plan | Page 98

Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014 information and communications technology, renewable energy and manufacturing. Examples of eligible project activities include: • Strategic and business planning, sector or industry analysis, feasibility, marketing and engineering studies, recovery plans, workforce attraction and retention strategies, community investment readiness plans, inventories of community assets and community profiles. • Strengthening communities' economic foundations, including industrial and commercial assets and industrial/business parks, downtown revitalization, and waterfront development. • Implementation of priority initiatives identified in economic development plans that demonstrate strong economic results. • Youth internships assist with projects related to community economic and business development. In Northern Ontario, FedNor received $4M over five years through the EDI to support business and economic development activities that develop new expertise in innovation, economic diversification and business growth in Northern Ontario's Francophone communities (the official language minority community) and capitalize on economic opportunities made possible through linguistic duality. Eligible activities include • Regional initiatives to help OLMC arts and cultural sectors (e.g. festivals and events) to become stronger generators of economic impacts for communities. • Strengthen and capitalize on the economic/business opportunities associated with the French language, cultural sector and niche products. • Help key OLMC initiatives keep pace with technological change, the digital economy, particularly new media and social media (in French). • Enhance OLMC economic or business development through models tailored to specific needs (e.g., cooperatives, one-stop multi-service centres). • Undertake a feasibility study or implement a plan to establish a one-stop Francophone multi-service centre. See the website at http://fednor.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/fn03440.html for more information. 3. The Culture Development Fund This fund seeks to strengthen cultural organizations and their leadership, helping them to increase their knowledge and skills. This will help organizations become better at what they do and more successful in achieving their mandates. Increased performance through new and innovative projects will build the capacity of the sector, leading to a stronger and more stable culture sector. The program priorities are to: • Develop stronger boards and advisory committees. • Create more effective collaborations and partnerships. 96