« Plan de diversification et de dÉveloppement Économique »

A well-thought-out, well planned and well orchestrated economic development adventure in Brome-Missisquoi !

Who is not aware of the financial crisis that presently sweeps the planet? This major upheaval adds to an economic instability caused by globalization which affects Brome-Missisquoi as well as most other MRCs of the Montérégie and the province! In this context, all are concerned: students, unemployed, socially assisted, regular workers, specialized employees, professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, etc.

Since 2006, 5 major manufactories have closed down, thus firing 822 individuals. During the last weeks, another factory sent 140 people to the street. It is in a crisis context that the MRC became eligible for a development fund of the ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions ($100,000 per year for 3 years, with possibility of an extension). This fund incites the region to give itself a period of reflection to revise its economic vision. In this perspective and in close collaboration with an advisor and economic development coach, the MRC mandated the CLD de Brome-Missisquoi to work out:
· A diagnosis relative to industrial development and economic diversification opportunities;
· A diversification and economic development plan for Brome-Missisquoi in relation with the socioeconomic reality that emerged from the diagnosis;
· An action plan directly stemming from all the prioritized strategies in the plan.

The process began last May 14th with the elaboration of a questionnaire aiming to collect information about the local industries. The systematic visit of 78 of 114 businesses permitted the compilation of information about the characteristics, the problems and needs of the industry and the development of a diagnosis. Following the presentation of this diagnosis last August 21st, the CLD created the Conseil de Développement industriel de Brome-Missisquoi (CDI BM). The Conseil was implemented to generate dialogue and collaboration between all the regional economic development partners of the MRC.

This regional procedure counters the habitual way of working in isolation and favours sharing energy and human and financial resources with all the organizations implicated in the economic development of the MRC. Thanks to the collective support of the local economic development institutions, this new way of proceeding will allow the industries of the region to optimize their operations. To participate in problem resolution, to maximize production capacities, to improve productivity, to accompany enterprises in research and development of new products and procedures become different avenues that aim to increase the profit margin of local industries. Also, multiple business opportunities favour the emergence de new businesses and the improvement of those that are in place.

Instinctively, the CLD initiated a change in manufacturing practices in the spring of 2007. Presently, this change takes on a very proactive form of management centered on results. Implicitly, those implicated in economic development of Brome-Missisquoi, such as corporative citizens, local leaders and municipal representatives, will be called upon to put in common their expertise and dynamism for the development of the region and thus create a good life and business environment in Brome-Missisquoi!

The vision and the mission of the CDI BM are the following:
The vision
Brome-Missisquoi : a community focused on dynamic and prosperous industrial entrepreneurship , job-creation and conscious maintenance of a healthy environment in a setting of exceptional living.
The mission
With the help of a dynamic dialogue between the regional partners create an economic environment favouring the establishment and development of local enterprises, a workforce and jobs.

The diversification plan addresses seven issues to which are related 38 strategies and as many specific feasible projects over the next 3 years. For these initiatives to be realized, the ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation will supply the Brome-Missisquoi region with a financial assistance of $750,000.

The complete diagnosis and plan are available on the region’s website at www.brome-missisquoi.ca