How can rural communities create long standing public benefit from individual legacies? The Rural Ontario Institute is hosting two forums to explore how philanthropy can be utilized to sustain and revitalize local communties. The forums will be an opportunity for non-profit organizations to exchange experiences and learn from one another about how to connect local philanthrophy with community priorities. For financial planners, municipal staff, and commu...
Communities throughout Ontario are seeking new economic development directions to support sustainability and revitalization. These new directions need to be built on local and regional assets and an understanding of economic development trends. The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville Tourism and Economic Development Committee hosted an two-day conference to explore these topics.
Dr. Gibson shared lessons on the future trends in regional econ
Authors from across Canada and internationally hosted a webinar to highlight the key stories from a new publication called From Black Horses to White Steeds: Building Community Resilience. The book celebrates and critiques the dynam- ics of innovation, governance, and culture in place. Case studies from both sides of the North Atlantic illustrate episodes of “turning around”: evolution, transformation, and visionary strategy that breath
On November 1, 2017, representatives from Town of Minto, Township of Mapleton, Township of Wellington North, the County of Wellington gathered in Drayton to discuss opportunities for joint economic development initiatives. Building on previous meetings, workshop participants identified recent positive changes that have been noticed in the region.
Dr. Gibson shared perspectives on the future of regional economic development from across Canada a...
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
