CARP – As part of Ottawa’s upcoming Rural Economic Development Strategy, city staff took a tour out to Carp and visited two of West Carleton’s most popular businesses.

“On July 24, City of Ottawa staff had the opportunity come out to our rural community to discuss rural economic development and to take a look at examples of successful rural businesses,” Coun. Eli El-Chantiry released in a statement last Thursday (July 25). “This relates to the Official Plan review that’s now ongoing.”

The staff that attended are the key staff working on the policies that will encompass the city’s new Official Plan.

During the session, staff, El-Chantiry and Osgoode Coun. George Darouze visited KIN Vineyards and the Ridge Rock Brewing Company to “witness first-hand the kind of potential there is for economic development in the rural areas of Ottawa,” El-Chantiry said.

“Ridge Rock is an exceptional example of how the owners took an abandoned building that was an eyesore in the community, and turned it into a successful business,” El-Chantiry said. “KIN Vineyards is another shining example of using rural land to create a unique business that adds so much to the rural community.”

During the tour El-Chantiry also addressed the staff on hand.

“I pushed the importance of rural economic development, especially as more than 80 per cent of the City of Ottawa is rural in nature,” he said. “With this in mind, I also made it clear while we have an eye on increasing rural economic development, we also need to continue to protect and preserve farmers, farms and farmland. In February, I met with members of the Ward 5 farming community to discuss their wants and needs as it relates to the Official Plan review.”

The Official Plan review is underway as required by the Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statement, 2014, and will run in coordination with the review of the Infrastructure Master Plan, Transportation Master Plan and the Development Charges By-Law. “The City of Ottawa Official Plan provides a vision for the future growth of our city and a policy framework to guide the city’s development to the year 2031,” El-Chantiry said. “This is the strategic document that guides our city’s growth and development. It impacts how and where the city will grow, now and for years to come. It establishes a policy framework that will inform the shape of the communities where you live, work and play. Its scope may reach as far as the middle of this century and will affect generations to come. I encourage residents to learn more about the Official Plan review by going to ottawa.ca/officialplan. There will more opportunities for Ward 5 residents to have their say.”