Photo: Stephanie Crilly, Executive Director, EDCO; Susan Gardner, Senior Economic Development Officer, Norfolk County; and John Regan, Director of Economic Development, Norfolk County.
Norfolk County’s innovative economic development initiatives are earning provincial recognition, with the County recently bringing home two prestigious awards from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Awards of Excellence.
The County received top honours in the Planning and Strategy Development (Rural) category for its in-house developed Economic Development Strategy, demonstrating leadership in rural economic planning. Additionally, the County earned an Honourable Mention in the Visitor Attraction & Tourism Product category for its creative “Meet Scout” initiative.
Homegrown Strategy Wins Top Recognition
Norfolk County’s 2024-2027 Economic Development Strategy, which was developed entirely in-house, impressed judges with its comprehensive approach to sustainable growth, investment attraction, and business support. The strategy provides a clear roadmap for enhancing economic prosperity while preserving the County’s distinctive rural character.
“Our team worked diligently to develop a strategy that reflects the needs and aspirations of our business community,” said John Regan, Director of Economic Development. “Receiving this recognition from EDCO reinforces that our approach is not only effective but also a model for other rural communities.”
Meet Scout: A New Face for Norfolk Tourism
The “Meet Scout” initiative, which received an Honourable Mention, introduced Norfolk County’s community ambassador mascot designed to create stronger connections with residents, businesses, and visitors. Scout appears across multiple platforms—print, digital, social media, and in-person events—highlighting local attractions, festivals, and unique experiences throughout the County.
Susan Gardner, Senior Economic Development Officer, explained the initiative’s appeal: “We wanted to create an engaging and memorable way to promote all that Norfolk County has to offer. Scout has been a fantastic addition to our efforts, and we’re thrilled that this initiative has been recognized by our peers across the province.”
Setting the Standard for Economic Development
The EDCO Awards of Excellence celebrate innovative and collaborative economic development efforts across Ontario. Winners are recognized for establishing best practices that can inspire future initiatives. A distinguished panel of professionals from economic development, marketing, advertising, and tourism evaluated all entries.
Deputy Mayor Doug Brunton highlighted the significance of these awards: “These recognitions are a testament to the dedication and creativity of our Economic Development team. We are committed to fostering a strong and dynamic local economy, and these awards highlight the impactful work being done to support our businesses and attract visitors to Norfolk County.”
Norfolk County continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving economic growth through forward-thinking initiatives and strong community partnerships. The Economic Development team expressed gratitude to EDCO for the recognition and remains focused on supporting local businesses and enhancing Norfolk’s economic landscape.
NorfolkBusiness.ca is the official economic development resource for businesses in Norfolk County, providing information on business support, investment opportunities, and community initiatives.