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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 13, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville Economic Development Association failed to develop By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Town takes over floundering agency become less and less independent since its inception. While the Town provided only 73 per cent of the OEDA's first year funding in 2000, it supplied 92 per cent of the agency's budget in 2005. Private partner contributions to the agency dropped from a high of $282,000 in 2001, down to $27,000 by 2005. "The OEDA's budget model has tended toward that of a Town department," said the report presented to Oakville council during an in-camera meeting on July 3. "Since 2001, the OEDA has become steadily more dependent on the Town's funding for its survival." The report also notes that providing input to the OEDA is "difficult and time consuming," while the agency itself also struggles to play a role in the Town's planning and development process. Finally, the OEDA simply failed in its core tasks, says the report, noting, "The expectation that the OEDA would develop entrepreneurial activi- The Town is dumping the Oakville Economic Development Alliance (OEDA), following a report that says the agency has been a failure. Established in 1999, the OEDA was formed as a partnership between the Town and the local business community, with the aim of marketing Oakville and improving its economic activity. Although it was intended to be an independent, arms-length organization funded jointly by the Town and business partners, the OEDA has MATTRESS & FURNITURE COUPON 3 FREE CHOICES Bed Frame Mattress Pad E ENDS M SAL 5 P Comforter Set Up DL Disposal Pillow SUNREAYAYAWAY) Percale Set of of Old Set Local Delivery Sheets E (F With Any Mattress Set Purchased COMFORT SLEEP Twin Double Queen Twin Double Queen IRON BED BUNK BED 169 209 239 219 249 319 Set Set Set Set Set Set 279 339 399 369 419 499 ty and alternate sources of revenue has not been met." The report suggests that the reasons for the failure of the agency are "structural, complex and likely due to the number of changes in leadership both the town and the OEDA have experienced." Between 1999 and 2006, the OEDA was headed up by three different CEOs. The top job remained vacant for several months at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, until Town Clerk Cathie Best moved into the job on an interim basis in the spring. To replace the agency, the Town will be creating a new economic development department. Staff from the OEDA will be hired into the new department, and recruitment for a director is underway. "A key aim for the department will be to provide a stronger, more coordinated economic development focus to the proposed development of north Oakville," said Jane Clohecy, the Town's com- "The expectation that the OEDA would develop entrepreneurial activity and alternate sources of revenue has not been met." Town staff report missioner of planning and development. "The new director will play a key role in helping the town attract top-tier employers to the future employment lands in north Oakville." The Town's plans have been communicated to community partners and the OEDA's board of directors, said Best. "Any kind of economic development is still going to be a partnership with the community," she noted. The Town will also be taking on the tourism promotion work currently provided by the OEDA. The OEDA will officially be dissolved at the end of this year, following the establishment of the new economic development department. ORTHOPEDIC PILLOWTOP Think Green. Be Cool. Breath Easy. FUTON COMPLETE HUGE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $ Up to BEST PRICES EVER! 20 OTHER MODELS DAY BED SALE 179 8 OTHER MODELS 229 7 OTHER MODELS 159 4700 AND * Cash Back UP TO $2400 GOV. CASH BACK SOFA SLEEPER ELECTRIC BED UP TO $1500 MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK + NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 1 YEAR *OAC 9 OTHER MODELS Burlington 89 6 OTHER MODELS 379 5 OTHER MODELS 989 TWIN/XL UP TO $800 HYDRO CASH BACK *Call for details. Financing Available + ALSO ON SALE BEDROOM SUITES · STORAGE BEDS · BED FRAMES · LINEN Mississauga Immediate Installation Available 666 Appleby Line (Fairview/Appleby) Behind McDonald's 6435 Erin Mills Pkwy. (at Battleford Centre in the Tim Horton's Plaza) 905-681-9020 Mon. - Thur. 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 6pm 905-542-0481 Sunday 11am - 5pm 8 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665