Efforts are underway to try and make the local Grey Bruce Economy more self sufficient.
It’s called the Local Motive project, and according to one of the organizers its an attempt bring more local control over many segments of the economy.
Local Businessman and Deputy Green Party Leader in Ontario, Shane Jolley says that considering the resources that exist in Grey Bruce from geography, knowledge base, to agricultural sector to climate and resources it should not take too much of an effort to make this region more self sufficient.
He says some of the areas that people involved in the Local Motive project are talking about include local energy production, local food security, local manufacturing for local consumption and a better and sustainable transportation infrastructure.
He says the community has lost control of the direction of the local economy and the Local Motion project is one way of bringing some of that control back to the area.
Jolley also fears the down turn in the economy has hindered the development of local businesses by making access to capital much more difficult to obtain.
He says its important to develop sources of micro financing for young entrepreneurs to encourage the youth of the region to remain here and start businesses rather than move to other areas.
Jolley says he will be taking his message of local self sufficiency to various communities over the next few months.