SCOR

SCOR originally evolved out of meetings of Mayors/Wardens from five counties that are affected by the decline in the tobacco industry.

Early in 2007, Municipal Leaders in the South Central Ontario Region prepared a plan to encourage investment and support from the Provincial and Federal Governments. That discussion paper, entitled “Proposals for Government Investment: Addressing Economic Decline in Tobacco Growing Counties of Southwestern Ontario” was prepared and forwarded to area Ministries and other stakeholders.

Later that year, a working group of Economic Development staff from Elgin, Brant, Middlesex, Norfolk and Oxford met with Provincial staff to explore the possibility of assistance from the Province.

Following these initial meetings, it was agreed strategic action was required and a long term plan for economic diversification and a partnership with all levels of government, which would set the stage for future long-term sustainable growth within the five counties rural region would be required.

It was also agreed that while a long-term regional approach is required, a short-term strategy dealing with high priority items would need to be initiated quickly to help kick start the process. For the short-term strategy, SCOR is working with Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston’s task force that is charged with finding economic renewal for the tobacco belt.

SCOR has now been formally established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the five counties which demonstrates the regions willingness to work together in support of a Regional Economic Recovery Strategy. County Councillors Habkirk and Wilson are Elgin County’s representation on SCOR’s Executive Committee; with Alan Smith, County Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Services, and Heather Adams, CAO, Town of Aylmer, representing the County on SCOR’s Administrative Resource Committee.

As a founding member of SCOR, the County of Elgin will continue to take an active role on SCOR working with representatives of the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to develop a long-term economic development diversification strategy for the region, and to address other priority needs.

For further information on SCOR including economic statistics for the SCOR region, please go to www.scorregion.ca