Wallaceburg Vision 2020

"About Wallaceburg Vision 2020"
Wallaceburg Vision 2020 was created in late 2007 by a group of local citizens who volunteered two days of their time to come together determined to see that our town gets to work on building its future. Recently updated in April 2009, Wallaceburg Vision 2020 is:

• A strong commitment to build the Wallaceburg we want for ourselves, our children and our future generations.
• A realistic plan to support local priorities that will make our Wallaceburg a great place to live, work and play.

The plan has 7 main priorities and each priority is championed by an ever-growing team of local volunteers passionate about our change and progress:

1. Grow with us – supporting entrepreneurialism, business retention and expansion to keep and add jobs locally
2. Connect to us – being fully equipped with diverse infrastructure to support tomorrow’s industries
3. Learn with us – inspiring participation in lifelong learning and skill development
4. Live Better with us – enhancing our quality of life through our commitment to health, social, cultural and recreational services and amenities
5. Come Visit us – encouraging our growth as a renowned four season tourism destination
6. Retire with us – recruiting retirees with their diverse skills, ideas and expertise to our community
7. Get Involved with us - enhancing community engagement and volunteer involvement in core Vision 2020 activities

Our Vision of Wallaceburg in 2020:
Wallaceburg is a great place to live, work and play. We are at the centre of South-western Ontario’s socio-economic boom. We are a unique, friendly and growing community that glows with pride. We are defined by our faith, good works and volunteerism. We are empowered by our connectivity, innovation and creativity. Wallaceburg and its people are leaders and a strong partner in Chatham-Kent and neighbouring communities. We embrace and celebrate change. We are a safe home to young and old. We are proud of our diverse multicultural population of 20,000 people. We have a close, respectful relationship with our First Nation neighbours. Our greatest asset is our people. We are successful in the national and global marketplace. We are bridging opportunities.

Our companies quickly adapt to new technologies as well as develop new and strategic innovations of their own. Our business environment supports entrepreneurship and our value proposition allows us to compete globally. The commitment of farmers, combined with fertile soils and the lake effect climate sustain our thriving, diverse agricultural economy. We continue to be leaders in innovative agribusiness and bio-technology. By using greenhouses we are the market garden centre of North America. We promote local production and consumption. The diversity of our economic development allows us to embrace change. Lifelong learning allows us to sustain our competitive advantages.

Our children are educated to succeed in a community full of promise. Our schools continue to excel in standardized testing. Our high school graduates are engaged in apprenticeships, college and university. We have a high rate of graduates coming to Wallaceburg to start or continue their careers. Our young people are given purpose and every opportunity to realize their potential and contribute to the community.

Our clean waterways are the signature of the community and connect us to the Great Lakes. We are Canada’s Inland Deepwater Port. Our rivers are utilized for commerce, health and recreation. The rivers bio-diverse ecosystem - abundant in wildlife - supports fishing and the best waterfowl hunting in North America. We partner with other communities to ensure the sustainability of our rivers.

Our infrastructure supports our quality of life. We are generating our own green energy. Our schools are thriving. Our Community Centre is available to all, by providing social, health, fitness and recreational opportunities. We have leveraged our temperate climate to promote our quality of life. We have an active community that supports the needs of both the young and old. We host a variety of events, festivals and shows like WAMBO. We have a very rich history which we showcase and celebrate. We have state-of-the-art trails, waterways and pathways for cyclists and walkers. Our medical facilities serve the needs of our population. Our local health care is excellent. Our lifestyles celebrate health and wellness. Wallaceburg is a great place to live, work and play.

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Wallaceburg Community Task Force (WCTF)

Who are we?

We are a passionate, professional, grass roots group of community citizens that recognizes change is necessary. We are an inspiring catalyst that causes enthusiastic participation from community (citizens, businesses, community groups and government) to create a community development plan to implement project action plans that are necessary to make Wallaceburg a place where people want to live, work and play.

The Wallaceburg Community Task Force consists of:

• Citizens of Wallaceburg
• Municipal, and Provincial Government Officials
• Industry, Labour, and Business Representatives
• Wallaceburg BIA and the Wallaceburg Chamber of Commerce
• Service Groups, Community Groups

WCTF enjoys a close working relationship and is funded by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Province of Ontario.

We are a 2-year Pilot program focusing on the following mandate: *

• To conduct a community SWOT Analysis
• To establish an “Enterprise Facilitator” in the community to help existing and new entrepreneurs
• To establish a Capitol Pool Corporation to leverage the TSX for Capitol to invest in existing and new business opportunities.
• To conduct a Labour Market and Skills Development Analysis to recognize gaps in our community with regards to education and seek solutions
• To develop a Wallaceburg Community Strategic Plan: Wallaceburg Vision 2020

This mandate has become known as the WCTF “5 Point Plan”