In 2011-2012, the Township of Zorra partnered with the rural Oxford townships (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich and South-West Oxford) to create ROED, Rural Oxford Economic Development. This was a temporary project which created a Business Retention and Expansion project to enhance local businesses and economic prosperity.
The program worked to improve the competitiveness of local businesses by addressing their concerns and needs through a confidential interview process. The interview process was a structured visitation program that included a survey conducted by volunteers to identify issues and opportunities. The analysis of the survey results was used to develop a series of strategic actions that will assist to address the concerns indicated within the survey.
The overall goals of conducting a BR+E are as follows:
• Address urgent business issues
• Improve and grow the relationships between local businesses and the community
• Retention of businesses and jobs
• Improvement of business and community competitiveness
For more information please click here to visit the ROED website OR click here to view the Rural Oxford Business Retention and Expansion Final Report and Action Plan.
South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation
The South Central Ontario Region (SCOR) Economic Development Corporation is a regional partnership comprised of the County of Brant, Elgin County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and Oxford County. SCOR was incorporated in 2010 as a means to provide planning and coordination for regional issues, implement regional economic development priorties, identify funding sources and to partner with other levels of government, and act as a regional catalyst for investment.
Click here
to visit SCOR's website to view various studies, annual reports and quarterly reports, as well as other useful links and information.
Also, click here to visit the Business Portal for business opportunities, workshops for businesses and employment opportunities.