The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-02-22, Page 810 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, February 23, 2011 County Road 12 designated `Police Memorial Highway' in memory of fallen OPP officers CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 9 Coun. Dave Riach (North 1 luron). Manufacturers online Huron County councillors gut a first took at a new web- site for the Iluron Manufac- turers' Association at their Feb. 16 committee of the whole session. Web designer Mark Hussey demonstrated the new fea- tures of the nvebsite which will allow members of the public to search for any manufac- turer in the county and find a detailed profile of each manu- facturer including a map showing where each is located. "We're really excited to iaunch the new fourth web- site," he said. 1'he website also includes videos from a mentorship program, which Bussey said are basically small commer- cials for local manufacturers along with a news feed that will provide valuable informa- tion for business owners. As well, local manufacturers can post job opportunities and local people can post on the website if they are looking for a job. "The website really shows the vibrance of manufactur- ing in the county," he said. Monica Walker -Bolton, coordinator of the Manufac- turers' Association, said she's excited about the ease of updating the information on the website. "We try our best to pass new resources on to our members," she said, Coun. John Grace (Goderich) remarked that the new website "really demon- strates the importance" of Huron County's presence on the Internet. Director of Planning and Development Scott lousaw added that with 180 small manufacturers in Iluron County, the new website gives an Internet presence to each of them. "The vast majority have fewer than five employees so most don't have their own website. This is a really an important service to our man- ufacturers," he said. Seeking investors A budding grape and wine 2011 WiNTER PROGRA MONDAYS, MARCH 7 - APRIL 4 POETS AND POETRY 10 AM — NOON FOOD: ISSUES AND OPTIONS 2 PM — 4 PM PLUS: SOCRATES CAF Wed.%e (14xy eve.tiAg, nth, memthenhq LOCATION: }'itMedaioMOtor Ivwtj (ra,nd.tienc, The- fey, for each 5 -week WiAter course $10. SPRING ''POTPOURRI" SESSION SEOINS APRIL 11 reit 519-238-5419 or 519- 238-2847 btu/4z lwabur@hay. rtet industry in Huron County is now ready for foreign invest- ment, I luron councillors were told as they approved an agreement between the county and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Interna- tional Trade for an $8,750 grant from the Invest Canada - Community Initiatives (ITFJ) program, which the county will match. Senior Economic Develop- ment Officer Mike Pullen tolls councillors at their Feb. 16 committee of the whole meet- ing that three years of feasibil- ity studies have identified a zone along the shoreline of Lake Iluron as suitable for growing grapes, both in cli- mate and soil conditions. "It's a very exciting project. We've completed phase one and two of the scientific research and now we're mov- ing on to phase three which is the attraction of funding. We're not just going after for- eign investment. Local is very important too," said Pullen. Asked by Coun. )stn Ginn (Central Iluron) about the amount of acreage Huron County wants to attract, Pul- len said they want to start with small test plots of 25 to 50 acres on a few local farms. Ile added that if larger investors are attracted, a minimum of 100 acres would be necessary for a large winery. "We will be approaching established wineries that may be looking to expand their operations. My belief in this project is that we want to avoid just exporting commer- cial grapes. lhe real value and spin-off will come from win- eries that may establish here; he said, adding that wineries will spur farmers to diversify and grow grapes commer- cially and add to the local tourism business. Pullen said the zone identi- fied for grape -growing runs from Pon Albert down to the southern parts of the county three to four kilometers inland from bake Iluron. "This latter data analysis showed clear climatic similar- ities between this famous wine region in France (Chev- one, France) and the County of Iluron. In-depth soil testing was also conducted as part of phase two and results were compared with wine regions in the 11.5. and France," said Pullen's written report to county council. Consultations with French viticulturist and winemaker Pierre Marie Guillaume showed that Iluron County is well suited to grow varieties such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc, Reisling and Chardonnay. Pullen's report said he will be working with the Huron Business Development Cor- poration to start a growers'/ landowners' group to provide education, training and net- working as the project evolves and will organize a bus trip to an established winery. Economic Blueprint adopted A blueprint for the Huron County Economic Develop- ment Strategy was adopted by the committee of the whole of Iluron County Council at its Feb. 16 meeting. Council's motion stipulated that the blueprint's imple- mentation will be considered during the 2011 budget deliberations. Mike Pollen, Senior Eco- nomic Development Officer, said the strategy will be a "great tool" for the county's economic plans. "There is a strong desire in our industrial partners to start the implementation process," he said, The strategy is a five-year plan for economic develop anent in Huron County. Net% strategies include greater focus on workforce training and development in response to industry need, adoption of the retail and service sector as a fifth pillar of the county economy, greater emphasis on opportunities for youth, a stronger post -secondary pres- ence in the county, a stronger marketing presence in nearby urban areas, a focus on qual- ity of life and a renewed focus on agribusiness and agricul- tural products. 'Ihe blueprint will continue to develop web -based mar- keting activities, support industry associations and expand Business Retention and Expansion (BR+Ii) activities. Implementation will involve hiring a full -tinge web designer, a 13R+E coordinator and additional contract positions. LET'S MAKE CANCER HISTORY For information about cancer, services or to make a donation 1.888.939.3333 • www.cancer.ca Canadian Cancer Society Societte{ canadieune du cancer Lambton Kent " District school Board Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten Registration for September 2011 The Lambton Kent District School Board invites all parents to register their children for September 2011 Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten Classes. Registration for Junior and Senior Kindergarten students will bo hold at all Lambton Kent public elementary schools on the following dates: 111onct,ry - Tuesd,cy Fehiu.11 2$ r11,u, h I 9 011 .sin 5 30 pi» 9 00 ,sin 3 00 pin Junior Kindergarten Children, four years of age on or before December 31, 2011, may be registered for classes begmninq September, 2011 Senior Kindergarten Children, five years of age on or before December 31, 2011, may be registered for classes beginning September. 2011 It Is Important that parents register their children at this time to allow schools to plan class sizes. It Is not necessary to re -register for Senior Kindergarten If your child Is presently attending Junior Kindergarten in a Lambton Kent public elementary school. Documentation showing proof of age must be presented at registration. l .unbton hent Public St -hoots School Grand Bend Princloal Anne Keeley Pl10 519-238-2091 Cannon McGregor Chair of the Board §est Start Maw -Around Sites and Hubs/ Davcar, Before andAfter School Programs North Lambton Child Care Centre Sarnia Education Centre 200 Wellington Street, Sarnia 519-336-1500 www.lkdsb.net Jim Costello Director of Education Pavvare Provider Contact 519-T86-6161 i