Theme EC 2: Community Economic Development

Theme Statement

Kingston has a resilient and diverse economy¹² that fosters local commerce and entrepreneurial growth. Community Economic Development initiatives that create economic opportunities and better social conditions will contribute to the overall well-being of the community.

Indicators

Entrepreneurship (Percent of Labour force that is self-employed - incorporated and unincorporated).
Employment by Sector (Distribution of Labour force in Top 3 sectors).

Goals

Drive entrepreneurship start‐up and small‐business growth to stimulate jobs and wealth creation.
Support a coordinated approach to community initiatives to attract and retain new migrants/immigrants to further grow Kingston’s population and develop our labour market and cultural diversity.
Support a "creative cities" approach based on cultural development as a strategy for community economic development.
Support and implement green procurement policies.

Actions

Action	Action Lead	Target	Status
Community Economic Development All of our 9 health practiioners are entrepreneurs and sole proprietors. Having a financially sustainable healthcare practice is a definate challenge and many individuals struggle in this field. KIHC offers many essential services to our practitioners that encourage successful business practices, such as easier compliance with legal responsibilities, established avenues to market their practice, and support network of like-minded professionals who believe in an integratvie healthcare model.	Kingston Integrated Healthcare	To provide a supportive environment for healthcare professionals	Ongoing
Development Immigrant Entrepreneurs Support Group	Kingston Immigration Partnership (KIP)	To assit entrepreneurs (Immigrant and non-immigrant).	In 2011 KIP developed a Global Talent Local Business brochure find it [here] that shows the immigrant entrepreneur capacity in Kingston. The support network will be launched in 2012.
Community Economic Development This is an entreprneurial venture that promotes economic value of cultural development.	Kingston by Bike!	Increase cycling tourism revenue.	Ongoing
Kingston Open Source Ecology Community Project An Open Source Ecology Community (OSEC) is any community that follows the principles of Open Source Ecology. An OSE community may be described best as an enterprise community of economically-interdependent stakeholders, specialized in their respective areas of production, and combining to a complete or nearly complete package of local, resilient production ability.	Open Source Action Centre	The OSE concept of a Resilient Community attempts to explore the creation of a small community (village scale) with shared values that leverage the principles of open source, distributed economy/shared wealth, and the productivity advantages of being able to self-fabricate almost anything using the Global Village Construction Set (GVCS).	Planning
Support Kingston Merchants Featuring products from Cooke’s, Pan Chancho, Tara Foods, Card’s Bakery	Iron Duke on Wellington	Use downtown providers in menu items	Ongoing
Neighbourhood Libraries Library branches enhance Kingston’s character and liveability and improve property values. KFPL branch libraries help to knit neighbourhoods together and facilitate residential, retail, and commercial development.	Kingston Frontenac Public Library	To continue to help knit neighbourhoods together.	Ongoing
Supporting Local Producers, Fabricators, Artisans and Businesses We support the efforts of local producers, fabricators, businesses, and artisans who are aligned with ecological living through efforts in cross-promotion, in-store representation, formal and informal business relationships, and choosing local suppliers, as much as possible.	Living Rooms :: EcoLogical Living + Building	To increase the strength and viability of a sustainable local economy.	Ongoing
Building an Economically Viable Food System - Use of local labour and capital to increase financial resilience of Kingston's food system. - Supply youth with internship opportunities and teach transferable and workplace skills. - Target immigrant and workplace challenged individuals.	Main Street Market	- Provide liable wage to all employees. - Connect local producers. - Provide outlet for local farms produce.	Ongoing
Social Enterprise and Innovation Kingston (SEIK) A joint project with the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen's University, this development plan for a social enterprise centre in Kingston to act as a hub for individuals and organizations with social objectives.	Social Planning Council Kingston & Area (SPC)	The centre aims to foster community-oriented enterprise by increasing economic, social and voluntary activities.	Discussions underway for initial pilot.
Kingston Entrepreneurship Centre A resource centre to help to develop new business in Kingston.	Kingston Economic Development Corporation	Help create and develop business in Kingston.	Ongoing
Small Business Internship Program Small and medium-sized businesses will receive financial support towards the employment of post-secondary students who will work on e-business projects.	Kingston Economic Development Corporation	Students gain valuable work experience as well as help fund their post-secondary education.	Ongoing

12 The local economy consists of private, public, cooperative and not-for-profit business, institutional and organizational enterprises.