Huron County Council has approved the Huron County Economic Development Strategic Plan 2026–2030, establishing a five-year framework for the County’s economic development work and a 10-year vision for sustainable growth, investment readiness, workforce development, business support, destination development, and stronger collaboration across the local economic development system.
The plan identifies five strategic priorities:
- Leadership and Collaboration
- Growing from Within to Diversify the Economy
- Future Workforce
- Destination Development
- Marketing and Communications.
These priorities are built on the Huron County Economic Development Department’s core service areas, including investment and industry development, tourism and local food, the Huron Business Centre, and the Local Immigration Partnership.
For the Huron Chamber of Commerce, the plan provides important context for ongoing work with members, municipalities, community partners, and County staff. The Chamber is an independent, non-profit economic development organization serving businesses across Huron County, and many of its activities intersect with the County’s priorities, particularly in areas such as business support, workforce development, advocacy, investment readiness, entrepreneurship, and county-wide collaboration.
“The County’s economic development plan does not set the Chamber’s agenda, but it does help define the broader environment in which we are working,” said Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “Our work is naturally connected to the County’s work in many areas, especially where business conditions, workforce needs, investment, and community development overlap. A clear County plan helps partners understand where those points of connection exist and where collaboration can be most useful.”
The strategic plan emphasizes a balanced approach to growth. It recognizes the importance of Huron County’s rural character, agricultural land, natural assets, small-town identity, and quality of life, while also acknowledging the need for economic resilience, business diversification, workforce attraction and retention, and stronger systems to support businesses and investors.
That balance was also reflected in the discussion at County Council on July 2nd. Councillors raised questions about how sustainable business and population growth would be managed, how strategic investment would be pursued, and how the plan would move from approval to implementation. In response, County staff noted that the plan was shaped by community feedback and that growth should be considered in terms of local fit, rural realities, and long-term community benefit.
One example discussed at Council was the importance of attracting the right kinds of investment. The conversation distinguished between growth that supports local employment and community resilience, and development that may consume significant rural land without generating the kinds of jobs or community outcomes the County is seeking. That theme is consistent with the plan’s emphasis on investment readiness, informed decision-making, and growth that strengthens rather than diminishes Huron County’s character.
Council also discussed the Port of Goderich and its importance not only to Goderich, but to Huron County and the wider region. The plan identifies logistics capacity as one of Huron County’s strengths, including the Port of Goderich, rail access, road connections, and proximity to larger urban markets. This aligns with ongoing Chamber interest in the marine economy, regional trade, transportation, and industrial development, including the Chamber’s work through the Huron Marine and Economic Forum.
The plan places significant emphasis on “growing from within,” including stronger relationships with existing businesses, a coordinated business visitation program, transition planning support, and a focus on Huron County’s agricultural and agri-food economy. These areas are particularly relevant to Chamber members, many of whom operate long-standing local businesses, employ local residents, serve main streets and rural communities, and are navigating succession, workforce, expansion, and investment decisions.
Workforce development is another area of overlap. The plan identifies ongoing labour shortages, an aging workforce, youth out-migration, and newcomer retention as challenges affecting employers across multiple sectors. It calls for stronger partnerships with schools and community organizations, improved awareness of local career pathways, support for international workers and employers, and targeted supports for entrepreneurs, including newcomers to Canada.
These themes align closely with Chamber work since 2024, including employer-focused events, workforce discussions, advocacy in support of immigration pathways such as REDI, the development of peer networks, and ongoing efforts to connect businesses with practical information and partners. The Chamber’s role is not to duplicate County services, but to help strengthen the business network, bring employer perspectives forward, and support constructive collaboration across the economic development ecosystem.
Tourism is also a significant part of the County plan. While tourism is not a primary program area for the Chamber, tourism operators, restaurants, retailers, accommodations, cultural organizations, and visitor-facing businesses are part of the broader Chamber membership and business community. The County’s work on destination development, shoulder-season tourism, infrastructure, and tourism coordination will therefore remain relevant to many local businesses, even where the Chamber’s direct involvement is limited.
The plan’s Leadership and Collaboration priority may be especially important from a county-wide perspective. It calls for clearer roles across the economic development ecosystem, including municipalities, BIAs, Chambers, Community Futures Huron, sector organizations, and other partners. It also highlights the value of a “no wrong door” approach, where businesses can access support more easily and be directed to the right organization, program, or contact.
Owners and managers often do not have time to navigate overlapping mandates, program details, or different levels of government. When economic development partners are aligned, businesses are more likely to find the right support quickly, whether they are dealing with expansion plans, workforce challenges, succession questions, or day-to-day operational pressures.
The Chamber will continue reviewing the County’s economic development plan with attention to the areas most relevant to members, including business retention and expansion, workforce development, investment readiness, rural advocacy, main street vitality, and stronger connections among local economic development partners.
As implementation moves forward, the Chamber looks forward to continuing its work with Huron County Economic Development, local municipalities, BIAs, Community Futures Huron, sector partners, and members across Huron County to support business success and strengthen the communities where people live and work.
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is one of Canada’s fastest growing Chambers, connecting community leaders since 1990. Representing businesses across Huron County, the Chamber focuses on growing the local economy, supporting business success, and strengthening our towns and villages. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Chamber advocates for business and community interests, facilitates collaboration, and convenes stakeholders to develop and support a vibrant and thriving county.
