ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT view. “We’ve been working with planners, reviewing the process from a cost and time standpoint. There are a number of recommendations that have come out of the meetings, in- cluding streamlining the legal process and looking at ways to man- age the costs of the expert peer re- view.” He says the goal is to reduce the development approval process time from eight to 12 months to between four and six months. In addition, a moratorium on in- dustrial development fees has been extended at least until the end of the year and Landry says budget talks may completely remove these fees. Landry says one of the biggest challenges to continued growth and development is filling the strong de- mand for skilled labor in the area but adds that having Lakehead University and Georgian College in Orillia has created an opportunityfor a strong in- flux of young people. “There is great potential for careers in the trades here so we’re working on a few ini- tiatives with schools and the local labor board to get that message out. We’re also working closely to com- municate with parents and guidance departments.” Landry says Georgian College and Lakehead are also working closely, establishing articulation agreements which will allow students to transfer education they have earned at one institution to the other to facilitate ca- reer options. Landry says residential building starts are twice where they were last year and the city has added several family doctors and specialists. A for- mer WalMart has been redeveloped as the first Canadian Big Lots loca- tion and other idle downtown loca- tions are beginning to be redeveloped. Landry says there are efforts in place both to build from within and to attract from outside through “a recipe box of reasons to be there and things to do.” For more information, see: businessinorillia.ca. 48 – Fall 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report