Over the past 20 years manufacturing has changed dramatically. Natural resource industries continue to have cycles of boom and bust and globalization has changed the way in which manufacturing is done. Given these changing dynamics, how do regions better understand the extent of skill shortages in manufacturing in Renfrew County and how do we address struggles that manufacturers in Renfrew County have expressed finding the skilled workforce they ...
Community development and recreation can be thought of as strange bedfellows. At the recent On the Hunt for Quality Recreation conference brought together community leaders, community-based organizations, and government representatives gathered to discuss these topics. Dr. Gibson shared three community development tools with conference delegates: photovoice, asset-based community development, and social network analysis. A copy of the presentatio...
Rural regions throughout Canada are grappling with how to plan for changing demographic dynamics, particularly as it relates to labour force development. Dr. Gibson participated in two sessions focused on workforce development and rural demography in rural regions at the recent 2017 Columbia Basin Symposium. The first panel presentation focused on changing rural demographic in both Canada and the Columbia Basin-Boundary region of British Columbia...
What are the critical challenges and opportunities confronting rural areas? How can food and beverage producers, community leaders, and businesses support and build vibrant rural places? The ‘All the Right Ingredients’ Summit brought together leading agricultural producers, restaurants, local government leaders, nonprofit/voluntary organizations, and business/economic development organizations in Exeter on October 10, 2017.
Dr. Gibson provided...
The largest rural development and policy conference in Canada was recently held in Nelson, British Columbia. The Different by Design: Innovation for Rural Prosperity conference was co-hosted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation and Selkirk College. During the conference, faculty and students from the University of Guelph made a strong contribution. The following oral presentations, panel discussions, and poster presentations were share
How do rural communities revitalize and sustain themselves? Drs. Laurie Brinklow (UPEI) and Ryan Gibson launched a new book focused on this just. The new book, From Black Horses to White Steeds: Building Community Resilience, was launched during the Different by Design: Innovation for Rural Prosperity conference in Nelson, British Columbia.
From Black Horses to White Steeds celebrates and critiques the dynamics of innovation, governance, and c
The first year of the Libro Professorship of Regional Economic Development was a busy one! Over the past year, the Libro Professor has been actively engaged in teaching, research, and community engagement across southwestern Ontario. The annual report summarizing the 2016-2017 activities is now available.
2016-2017 Libro Professor of Regional Economic Development Annual Report
How can food and beverages drive local economic development? On October 10, 2017, residents and business leaders in South Huron will discuss opportunities in the food and beverage industries to grow the local and regional economy. The 'All the Right Ingredients for Food and Beverage Businesses' will showcase regional success stories, explore new innovations, and examine opportunities for collective action. Dr. Gibson will speak about the key chal
On July 27, 2017, Dr. Ryan Gibson was re-elected President of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet). CCEDNet is a member-driven, not for-profit, charitable organization made up of community-based organizations, co-operatives, social enterprises, practitioners, active citizens, researchers, and other organizations involved in community economic development. CCEDNet works to strengthen CED in urban, rural, northern and Abori...
The June 29th, 2017 edition of the Manitoba Co-operator profiled an article on the future funding approaches to infrastructure in rural Canada. The article, by Lorraine Stevenson, is based on a recent report and presentation made to the Senate Committee on National Finance. In early May 2017, Dr. Gibson delivered a presentation to the Senate Committee based on research conducted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, Rural Development I
