Success Stories

Best to Invest

Quinte Area Named One of the Ten Best Places to Invest in Canada

The Quinte Economic Development Commission (QEDC) has been selected as one of the top ten Canadian economic development groups by Site Selection magazine, a leading US-based information source for expansion planning. The award was presented on September 15, 2008 at the Economic Developers Association of Canada's Annual Conference in Fredericton, NB.

The "Best to Invest" award is designed to recognize the most powerful local economic development groups in Canada. QEDC was selected for its consistency in corporate project attraction, job creation, regional partnership, proactive programming, and quality data resources.

"It's terrific to be recognized nationally for something we know to be true here in the Bay of Quinte area," says Chris King, QEDC's Chief Executive Officer. "This acknowledges the hard work done by our team and partners, as well as the support we've received from a great community".

The QEDC embraces the communities of Quinte West, Belleville, and Brighton, and provides regional marketing programs that attract new industry, as well as strategic support that helps local industries grow more competitive and profitable.

The article about the top 10 Canadian groups appears in the September 2008 edition of Site Selection magazine and is available on the Site Selection website. 

Community Improvement Plan

The City's Community Improvement Plan (CIP) has been very successful. Since 2006, 65 businesses have participated in the program, which includes 26 applications approved in 2009. Through the CIP Incentives Program, more than $410,000 has been allocated to improve building façades in the downtown areas of Trenton and Frankford. The City continues to promote this program to further enhance our downtown cores.

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Trenton invested in the "streetscape" beginning in 2007. The downtown revitalization on Dundas Street was completed in late 2007 and Front Street in 2008. In 2009, the revitalization of Quinte Street was completed, amounting to more than $2 million of new investment in the downtown core of Trenton Ward. The City was fortunate to receive $150,000 for this project from the Province through the RED program in 2007/2008 and $75,000 in 2009/2010. We now have new street signage and banners, decorative lighting, new interlock brick sidewalks, benches, tree plantings, and beautiful landscaping. We also have new gateway signs located at all entrance points to the City, new monument signage for the City's North Murray Industrial Park, and a new entrance sign for the Wolfe Street Industrial Park in Frankford.

Marketing Plan

The City has developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing plan based on the City's central theme: "Quinte West - A Natural Attraction." The City continues to target the eastern GTA and Durham Region in attracting tourists from these areas. The City's marketing plan has proved very successful. In 2008, the data indicated a substantial increase in visitors to the City's website. We completed a radio campaign last fall to promote the Trenton Scottish Irish Festival and a similar campaign will be completed to attract people from these areas to the Walleye Fishing Derby in May.

As part of the marketing for the City, the City's website has undergone a complete redesign. The City and Tourism websites have been combined into one website, with major sections on City Hall, Residents, Business, Visitors, and eServices. The new website offers many new features and gives the City a whole new look!