Economic Development Review and Action Plan (EDRAP)

The City of Cambridge Economic Development Division is undertaking a Economic Development Review and Action Plan (EDRAP) for Cambridge that delineates policies to support several key objectives, goals, and priorities over the next five (5) years. The project approach includes both research and key message development components in addition to valued  stakeholder and public consultation.

The intention is to use the EDRAP for the purpose of establishing decision-making parameters, a guide in future budget planning, future project and initiative development, and ultimately to identify the roll-out of achievable and measurable actions.

The project will address and help to identify opportunities within key industry sectors, business attraction, business retention and expansion (BRE), development facilitation, small business services, core area supports, filming, and foreign direct investment that is done in partnership with Waterloo Economic Development Corporation.

The development of an EDRAP will also include potential tourism development at the City including resourcing and use of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). The EDRAP is intended to be a document to guide Council and Staff to leverage current opportunities to promote economic development growth, prosperity, and sustainability across the city. 

The overall timeline for the EDRAP is detailed below. It is anticipated that the final presentation to Council will be in October/November 2023 with implementation of actionable items occurring in 2024 and beyond.

As part of the process, the City of Cambridge has selected an economic development professional consultant to work with City Staff to complete the review, namely Sequence (CQNS).

Our Consultants - Sequence (CQNS)

CQNS was formed in 2017 by three founding partners to provide strategies, branding and marketing for Economic Development and Tourism Agencies. The founding partners include Bill Elliot with a strong background in investment attraction and economic development; Chris Hokansson with corporate marketing, content development and copy writing experience and Simon Cooper, an EDO award winning creative designer. Sequence has provided strategy, marketing, branding and design services to municipal clients throughout Canada. 

City Staff is pleased to partner with the Sequence team in completing the Economic Development Review and Action Plan (EDRAP).

Timeline of Events:

• RFQ Posted - February, 2023
• Consultant Hired - March 20th, 2023
• Staff Background Studies Collection and Data Gathering - April, 2023
• Inaugural Staff Steering Committee Meeting - April 26th, 2023
• Consultant Stakeholder Meetings - May 2023 and Ongoing
• Two (2) Public Information Centres (PICs) were held on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023, at the CLAC Member Centre, 45 Commerce Ct, Cambridge, in the Cambridge Room from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:30pm to 8:30pm
• Economic Development Stakeholders Surveys -  The surveys were sent out to a diverse variety of stakeholders and had a final submission date of June 30th, 2023 
• Final Presentation to Council - October/November 2023 (tentative)
• Implementation of Actionable items - 2024 onward

Important Dates to Remember:

• October/November - Our Consultant, Sequence, is to provide City of Cambridge Council with their final presentation of the Economic Development  Review and Action plan along with all action items moving forward.