Community development
MEGAN ABRAHAM
Community Development & Communications Officer
comms@marmoraandlake.ca
613-472-2629, ext. 2231
Check out the Visit Marmora website:
https://visitmarmoraandlake.ca/
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Our Economic Development Advisory Committee meets the last Wednesday of the month at 5:00 pm, in the William Shannon Room at the Marmora and Lake Public Library (37 Forsyth Street).
Meetings are open to the public to observe, however, the public may not participate in the discussion unless they are placed on the agenda.
Committee Members:
Councillor Eric Daoust (Chair - edaoust@marmoraandlake.ca)
Kimberley Alldread
Sean Graham
Sean Hale
Oliver Heubeck
Anne MacNeill
Marmora and Lake Community Ambassador Program
In 2025, the Marmora and Lake Economic Development Advisory Committee launched its Community Ambassador program to help new and existing residents connect with the community.
What is a Community Ambassador? Well, it’s simply a volunteer knows the community well, and can help bridge the gaps between residents and local resources.
Our Ambassadors are kind, friendly and helpful, and have knowledge about all things Marmora - including opening a new business, enrolling your children in daycare and school, joining local community organizations, and finding your way around town.
In fact, a few of our Ambassadors know what it feels like to move to a new community, because they relocated to Marmora and Lake themselves.
You don’t have to be new to Marmora to use the program. It’s open to everyone.
Want to connect? Check out the Community Ambassador program here: Community Ambassador Program — Municipality of Marmora and Lake
Simply fill out the form and one of our Ambassadors will be in touch.
Hastings County: Invest In Hastings
Why Invest in Hastings?
Hastings County offers a prime location between Toronto and Ottawa, with direct access to Highway 401, rail lines, and modern telecommunications. With available commercial and industrial lands, the region is ideal for business expansion.
Our strong forestry sector supports opportunities like biomass energy, while a thriving year-round tourism industry creates demand for new hospitality developments. Hastings is also a top destination for retirees, making private retirement communities a smart investment.
Whether you're looking at energy, tourism, or senior living, Hastings County is ready for growth.
Integrated Community Sustainability
Sustainable development recognizes that the natural environment, economic and social development, and culture are the four fundamental pillars of community, are mutually dependent, and must be in balance. An ICSP is a long-term plan. It is based on the values, goals and projected future needs of the community, providing a common vision to work towards, and guiding citizens and the community as a whole towards a sustainable future. An ICSP looks at all aspects of the community from a four-pillar sustainability perspective, as summarized below:
Economic – business, industry, tourism, agriculture, employment, jobs
Social – health and social services, housing, education, youth, volunteers
Cultural – arts, heritage, events and festivals, sports and recreation
Environmental – air, water, land, flora and fauna, and the ecosystems we are part of
10 REASONS TO BUY LOCALLY OWNED
Buy local — support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally-owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
Support community groups: Non-profit groups receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit.
Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases, requiring less transportation, and generally set up shop in town or city centres, as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community provide the most jobs to residents.
Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centres require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally-owned stores entering the community.
Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.