Frequently Asked Questions

We currently have FAQs for 3 topics:

• Penetangore Regional Economic Development Corporation FAQs
• Bruce Botanical Food Gardens FAQs
• Natural Gas Pipeline FAQs
  
  

PREDC Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the PREDC promote economic growth for Kincardine?
2. Why should Industry or the business community participate with the PREDC for project development?
3. How is PREDC funded?
4. What is the process for a client to present a potential project or idea for PREDC’s consideration?
5. How will my project idea be protected?
6. What other project review processes are involved with assessing potential projects?
7. What are some of the other roles of the PREDC?
8. What is the short-term PREDC strategy for local community economic development?
9. What is the difference between the old Economic Development Committee structure versus the present PREDC corporate structure?
10. Can I attend a PREDC Board meeting?
11. How often does the PREDC Board meet?

1. How does the PREDC promote economic growth for Kincardine?

The PREDC provides an open-door environment for individuals, businesses and community organizations to participate with the PREDC to develop strategic and innovative approaches to define community economic related projects.  The PREDC is a not-for-profit corporation with a capability to pursue a variety of funding opportunities that support local project development.  The PREDC applies a public-private partnership (P3) business development model and project management approach to define and manage projects that demonstrate a high probability of success that stimulate the local economy.  The following graphic representation highlights the PREDC P3 business development model:

The PREDC has also established a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kincardine BIA and Chamber of Commerce as a means to strengthen a working relationship and pursue the development of joint community projects.

2. Why should Industry or the business community participate with the PREDC for project development?

The PREDC recognizes that most businesses and industry are internally focused with developing their own products and services.  The business community can work with the PREDC to help identify projects that may improve the company’s bottom line by leveraging public sector funding programs to help support new project/product development. As a not-for-profit corporation, available government funding programs can be leveraged through the PREDC to support project development costs and reduce business costs.  The purpose of this effort is to help stimulate economic growth and create new jobs.
The PREDC also acts as an agent to assist outside businesses that are considering locating to Kincardine.  The PREDC can assist with gathering relevant information, partnership development, Municipal coordination and other community ambassador related activities.

3. How is PREDC funded?

A decision of Municipal Council was made to endorse the establishment of a new Economic Development Corporation as a means to accelerate economic development activities.  The Municipality has established the initial investment into the creation of this new entity.  As the corporation evolves, it is anticipated that additional funding from other private and public sector sources will become available to sustain the corporation.

4. What is the process for a client to present a potential project or idea for PREDC’s consideration?

A new client of the PREDC would contact the Executive Director to meet and discuss a potential project.  The PREDC has developed a project intake process to gather pertinent information about a potential project as a means to provide enough information for the PREDC Board to review and consider.  This process helps minimize the number of meetings required to answer the questions of the PREDC Board and gather relevant decision making information in a timely manner.  A sample form is provided below to inform clients of some of the information that will be requested:

Project Intake Assessment

5. How will my project idea be protected?

The PREDC understands the importance of client confidentiality.  All matters between the client and the PREDC will be treated in a confidential manner.  If requested, the PREDC will enter into a client Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to formalize discussions and undertakings.

6. What other project review processes are involved with assessing potential projects?

To help assess a potential project, the PREDC will work with the client to conduct a project SWOT analysis and project RISK review.  These processes are helpful in understanding the characteristics and dynamics of a potential project.  Providing an early project assessment helps to provide a clearer understanding and ranking of probability of project success, issues identification, risks and mitigation.  Understanding these project elements is very useful for both the client and the PREDC Board decision making process.

7. What are some of the other roles of the PREDC?

The PREDC is a strong believer in developing partnerships to identify community opportunities.  The PREDC represents the community regarding economic development matters and we will sometimes act as agents of change to pursue community efficiencies, develop strategies, provide workshops, training, invite speakers and champion important initiatives that impact the sustainability aspects of our community.  The PREDC provides advice to municipal council and other local agencies/organizations regarding economic growth related matters. 

The PREDC is also positioning to become more involved with developing entrepreneurship programs and establishing a culture of innovation within Kincardine and area.

8. What is the short-term PREDC strategy for local community economic development?

The PREDC initiated the Community Sustainability Planning process as a means to help identify short-medium and long term strategies that will lead the community towards a sustainable future.  Once the process is completed in early 2012, the PREDC will examine the recommendations and opportunities identified and then develop ongoing work plans to help implement the identified projects.
In addition, the PREDC will continue to seek out new exciting opportunities and develop additional initiatives to help stimulate the community.
Presently, the PREDC is facilitating the development of a significant natural gas project into the S/W area of Bruce County.  This project is seen as a means to develop future industry, retain existing industry and provide reduced fuel costs to residents, schools, medical clinics, general businesses and local industries.

9. What is the difference between the old Economic Development Committee structure versus the present PREDC corporate structure?

In the past, the former Economic Development Committee reported directly to municipal Council on various economic development matters.  Over time, it was recognized that the past municipal governance structure was slow to respond and react to various economic matters.  This was no fault of the municipality, but rather the operational environment due to heavy council agendas, its culture and the vast number of other municipal and community committees reporting to council.

The new PREDC model is seen as being much more nimble and responsive to various matters requiring quick turnaround of decisions, actions and setting economic priorities.  The PREDC is also seen as being more flexible with pursing an efficient approach towards local economic development and pursuit of various forms of funding.

10. Can I attend a PREDC Board meeting?

Yes, you can attend a PREDC Board meeting as a delegation.  Simply contact the PREDC Executive Director or a PREDC Board member to discuss your issue or idea and request to be included on a meeting agenda.

11. How often does the PREDC Board meet?

PREDC Board meetings are held monthly.  However, there may be circumstances to hold special meetings to accommodate time sensitive matters or assist the needs of a PREDC client.

Bruce Botanical Food Gardens Project FAQ's

1. What constitutes a food garden?
2. Why is it called a botanical food garden?
3. Where is Ripley?
4. Why are you located in Ripley?
5. Is this a Community Garden?
6. What can I expect to see there?
7. What else is there to do in or around Ripley?

Bruce Botanical Food Gardens Project FAQ's

1. What constitutes a food garden?
Vegetables, fruits, herbs, annuals, perennials, flowers, shrubs and trees which are in some way edible-perhaps the whole plant is edible  (like lettuce) or perhaps parts of it like a rose (petals and rosehips).

2. Why is it called a botanical food garden?
Botanical gardens are educational spaces.  The plant types are carefully labeled and monitored for their growth and production.  The study of plants is also often carried out and the outcomes shared with other researchers.  Seeds or plants are often shared with others and the gardens are most usually open to the public. In our case the plants will be food plants instead of rare flowers, trees and shrubs. We will be focusing on heritage varieties.

3. Where is Ripley?
If you are coming from the Kitchener-Waterloo direction, Ripley is just 5 minutes north of Highway 86 between Lucknow and Amberley on Bruce Road 7.
It is also just 10 minutes south east of Kincardine and easily reached from Highway 21, east on County Road 6.

4. Why are you located in Ripley?
A few reasons:
Ripley is surrounded by high quality farmland.  In fact, the land on which the Gardens will be developed is good agricultural land with an excess of 8” of rich, friable, well drained topsoil. The community’s existing branding slogan is Homemade-Hands On which is an excellent fit for the Garden and its programming. It is also close to the shores of Lake Huron and the communities of Goderich, Kincardine, Port Elgin, and Southampton-all with a healthy summer tourist trade from which to draw. The community is extremely friendly and is lead by a township council that has the capacity to move the project forward.

5. Is this a Community Garden?
No.  This garden is a tourist site.  You will not see row upon row of garden plots with rows of your standard veggies.  This garden will be exciting! Although it is not a community garden in the traditional sense, it is a Garden for the Community (and beyond).

6. What can I expect to see there?
You will see living sculptures, fish ponds, a living wall teaching room, pergolas, water retention systems, composting centres, interactive features, and demonstrations of permaculture practices, interpretive areas, sunflower huts, a maze and much more. Of course, this garden will be in its infancy.  Our vision is long term but suffice it to say, you will go away wanting more!

7. What else is there to do in or around Ripley?
You will be able to make a day (or two) of it!  Visit and enjoy the Garden of course.  You might take in one of our scheduled workshops while you’re here. There is a pottery shop to try hands on, a Spa (that’s ‘hand-on’ in reverse!), a Pizza shop, a restaurant, a flower/gift shop, an Ice Cream Trail that will lead you through the byways of the area and our Pine River Cheese house is a must do. The trail system is open to walkers and bicyclists and you can take in the Historic Lewis Cemetery.  You can enjoy the splash pad right in downtown Ripley or if you prefer, the award winning beaches of Lake Huron are only minutes away. Kincardine is nearby with its Scottish Pipe Band parade every Saturday at 8pm throughout the summer and the Phantom Piper who pipes to the setting sun.

BACK TO TOP

Natural Gas Pipeline Project FAQ's

1. How long have we needed natural gas in the area and why don’t we have it now?
2. How long will it take to bring gas to our area and what’s involved in doing so?
3. How large of an area will natural gas project serve?
4. What are the residential preliminary findings of the study that is currently underway?
5. What are the commercial preliminary findings of the study that is currently underway?
6. How important is natural gas to industry, business and residents?
7. What are your next steps?

1. How long have we needed natural gas in the area and why don’t we have it now?

There have been a couple of past attempts to secure natural gas within our area.  The past attempts failed as there was not a strong enough community desire by industry and community leaders to pursue natural gas.  In addition, the cost spread (spark spread) between natural gas against other sources of energy is much wider today than it was back in the mid 90’s.

2. How long will it take to bring gas to our area and what’s involved in doing so?

Our Natural Gas Project Team has commissioned Union Gas Ltd. to develop a study to determine the supply of natural gas into our area and establish an understanding of a sustainable customer base.  So far, the early indicators of the study are showing strong signs of supply and demand for natural gas.  Once the study is finalized in January 2012, it will be necessary to begin the Environmental Assessment process to satisfy the requirement of the Ontario Energy Board.  We foresee customers acquiring natural gas to begin sometime in 2013.

3. How large of an area will natural gas project serve?

The scope of this project includes the Municipalities of Arran-Elderslie, Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine.  The success of this project will provide a supply to the largest underserviced area located within southwestern Ontario.  Approximately 80 kilometers of gas pipeline will be provided to approximately 6000 customers.

4. What are the residential preliminary findings of the study that is currently underway?

Union Gas had telephone interviews conducted by Ipsos-Reid, with 300 randomly-selected homeowners in the target communities, yielding a margin of +/-5.5% at 95% confidence level. 

- Overall, 66% of all respondents said they are likely to convert their home-heating system and/or water heater to natural gas. Of those, 78% are likely to convert within the first two years, while 49% would do so in the first 12 months.
- 67% of respondents said they would likely convert their home-heating system to natural gas.
- In the Kincardine area, 31% use oil-forced or electric-forced air for home heating, while 25% use electric baseboard or boiler, and 20% use propane-forced air. 
- 58% of respondents said they are likely to convert their water heater to natural gas
- 81% of water heaters are currently powered by electricity, while 10% are powered by propane.

5. What are the commercial preliminary findings of the study that is currently underway?
A total of 174 interviews were conducted by a third party supplier, Ipsos-Reid, with businesses in the target communities, yielding a 6.7% margin of error at 95% confidence level. The fielding period for the commercial survey was from August 23rd to September 9th, 2011.
- Overall, 81% of all respondents stated that they are likely to convert their heating system and/or water heater to natural gas.
- 50% of the businesses in Kincardine et al use a forced air furnace for heating. 43% of forced air furnaces are powered by propane.
- 73% of all respondents indicated that they would likely convert their heating system to natural gas. 85% would do so within the first 2 years; 61% within first 12 months
- 60% of water heaters are powered by electricity; 25% is powered by propane.
- 74% of all respondents indicated that they would likely convert their water heater to natural gas. 87% stated they would likely convert within the first 2 years; 67% within first 12 months.
- 53% of all respondents stated that they have cooking equipment on-site, the cooking equipment’s are powered by electricity (71%) and propane (29%). 62% of businesses that have cooking equipment on site are likely to convert cooking equipment to natural gas.
- Respondents who stated that they are unlikely to convert cited cost and having recently installed new heating equipment as major reasons.
- On average, the commercial buildings in Kincardine and surrounding communities are about 53 years old.

6. How important is natural gas to industry, business and residents?

Natural gas is important for major industry requiring large sources of heat or fuel to produce their products and services.  Not having natural gas places local industry and business at a significant disadvantage to their competitors who do have natural gas in other communities.   The residents are currently faced with rising heating costs and providing natural gas will help residents save more money and provide additional disposable income.  Bringing natural gas to the area is seen as providing both an economic boost and a means to retain industry located within our area.

What lobby efforts are underway and how well received is natural gas with upper levels of government?

The Mayors of the three partnering municipalities have been meeting with political members of upper tier government and the appropriate ministries.  The Penetangore Regional Economic Development Corporation (PREDC) is facilitating this project and has generated a number of communications, marketing and planning activities to help support the goal of the project.  There has been strong support received by the various levels of government, local industry and area residents.

7. What are your next steps?

The project team comprising of the three local Mayors, industry stakeholders and the PREDC will continue their lobby efforts and develop strategies to maintain project momentum.  The project team will be participating with developing a financial plan and securing financial assistance from various levels of government.  A considerable amount of effort will also be required to satisfy the requirements of the Ontario Energy Board through the Environment Assessment process.

BACK TO TOP