NORFOLK COUNTY, ONTARIO Linda D’Hondt-Crandon combines industry knowledge with government experience to build community opportunities Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature EDO Linda D’Hondt-Crandon has applied her clear under- standing of the industry with a diverse background to give her a broad insight as economic development co- ordinator for Norfolk County in Simcoe, Ontario. D’Hondt-Crandon combines real estate training and municipal government experience in public works, health and finance. This background has helped her un- derstand the process, politics and business of economic development. “There is a perception that economic development is all about investment attraction,” she said. “Really though it is a combination of business retention and at- traction.” 18 – Winter 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report D’Hondt-Crandon says local jobs are often created by smaller local employers with the opportunity to grow. She says the economic development field involves new people, challenges and rewards each day. “It is very rewarding to see a brownfield development move for- ward, in seeing new business ventures established and in watching local companies grow. Economic develop- ment helps with all of that.” She says one of her job’s biggest challenges is justi- fying the local regulatory environments to clients, includ- ing the costs of approvals which can be high and hard to understand. She says her vocation can also be very demanding, requiring flexibility and the willingness to work around clients’ schedules to be available when they are. “Eco- nomic development requires persistence, enthusiasm, a solid understanding of the issues and a broad knowl- edge base that encompasses a lot of different areas.” D’Hondt-Crandon says she has found experience to be the best teacher but says education and training are important as well and anyone considering an economic development career should certainly pursue this as a path. “An education in economic development provides you with the opportunity to learn from others and to benefit from all they have experienced.” She says there is a great deal of support available for people in the field and adds that anyone who doesn’t take advantage of these opportunities is missing out on key components. D’Hondt-Crandon is a member of the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). She also works closely with local chambers of com- merce, business improvement areas and business as- sociations. “It is a fun, challenging job that gives you an oppor- tunity to learn more about what is in your own backyard than most people will ever know,” she said.