Economic Development

 The Township of Zorra has partnered with the Townships of East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich and South-West Oxford to form an economic development corporation to serve rural Oxford. The Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (ROEDC) has been established to direct the overall economic development direction and activities for Rural Oxford. Established throughout 2013-14, the Board has finalized incorporation, engaged an economic development professional to lead the organization, and is now ready to implement strategies to support rural business growth.

For more information, please contact Ronda Stewart, Economic Development Officer, ROEDC at 226-289-2437.  Send Ronda an email.  Visit the ROEDC website.

Project Background:

Oxford Fresh is a partnership between two organizations who love to support agriculture and the local food they produce. Oxford County Federation of Agriculture and Tourism Oxford. Oxford Fresh offers several ways for businesses to participate:

• Listing on OxfordFresh.ca, FREE
• Listing on the Oxford Fresh Map, $200 (+HST = $226.00)
• Oxford Fresh Laneway Sign, $175 (+HST = $197.75).

The Oxford Fresh Laneway Signage Program:

The Oxford Fresh Laneway Signage program brings attention and advertisement to local farms that are selling what they grow directly to consumers.  Signage for eligible farms will be offered at a cost of $175 (+HST) per sign, and includes the cost of design and manufacturing.

Criteria:

• Must be an agricultural business, farm market or food production related business, featuring local ingredients. Includes: Cheese & Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Honey & Syrup, Farmers’ Markets, Retail featuring local produce & products, Plants, Trees & Gardens, Artisanal & Specialty Shops and other features such as Breweries, Bird Seed, Agricultural Experiences, and Specialty Products.
• Your business can have up to 6 items from other Ontario farms also for sale but they must be signed stating where they are from. We encourage farms to use this opportunity to tell the local food story of these items (e.g. farm name, town/region, is it a relatives farm, is it a farm that buys from you or sells your product) 
• Set and post business hours of operation (dates of times, online and on site)
• Have signage installed indicating:
  • Retail shop entrance (e.g. on the doorway)
  • If regular hours are held, a sign at the entrance indicating open or closed and what regular hours are
  • Identifying where to park
  • If by appointment: you need signage at the entrance saying this and providing a phone number or online option for people to connect with you
  • Must provide an address to a fixed location
  • Website or social media presence
  • Year round contact information
  • Provide customers the assurance of common standards of cleanliness and safety.
  • Businesses prohibit discrimination based on any prohibited ground as listed in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
  • Traditional Farmers markets must operate a minimum of one day per week during the season
  • Display Oxford Fresh maps in your retail space. By sharing this map, celebrating local producers, we grow stronger together promoting nearby shops people can visit.
  • Put the following wording and hyperlink on your website “Proud member of Oxford Fresh”. We can also provide the Logo for your use in this link.

Click here to open the application form for the Farm Gate Signage Program.

 In 2011-2012, the Township of Zorra partnered with the rural Oxford townships (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich and South-West Oxford) to create ROED, Rural Oxford Economic Development. This was a temporary project which created a Business Retention and Expansion project to enhance local businesses and economic prosperity.

The program worked to improve the competitiveness of local businesses by addressing their concerns and needs through a confidential interview process. The interview process was a structured visitation program that included a survey conducted by volunteers to identify issues and opportunities. The analysis of the survey results was used to develop a series of strategic actions that will assist to address the concerns indicated within the survey.

The overall goals of conducting a BR+E are as follows:

• Address urgent business issues

• Improve and grow the relationships between local businesses and the community

• Retention of businesses and jobs

• Improvement of business and community competitiveness

For more information please visit the ROED website 

 The South Central Ontario Region (SCOR) Economic Development Corporation is a regional partnership comprised of the County of Brant, Elgin County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and Oxford County. SCOR was incorporated in 2010 as a means to provide planning and coordination for regional issues, implement regional economic development priorities, identify funding sources and to partner with other levels of government, and act as a regional catalyst for investment.

 Visit SCOR's website to view various studies, annual reports and quarterly reports, as well as other useful links and information.