MEDIA RELEASE - For Immediate Release, September 11, 2019
[Cornwall, ONTARIO] The Ontario East Economic Development Commission (OEEDC) recognized Katie Nolan, Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Officer, for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as the "Ontario East Economic Developer of the Year" at the Opening Ceremonies of the Ontario East Municipal Conference (OEMC) in Cornwall, Ontario.
The Ontario East Economic Developer of the Year Award is awarded annually to an economic developer based in eastern Ontario who has provided exceptional performance in his or her community and contributed to the advancement of the economic development profession.
Katie Nolan’s dedication to environmental stewardship, human health, global issues and community economic development has been a true asset to Eastern Ontario.
Her contributions throughout Eastern Ontario have been many.
Ms. Nolan is a leader in the local food movement in Eastern Ontario. In 2011, she spearheaded the Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference in response to the rapidly growing sector in need of a stronger network and more targeted technical support. The increased awareness for the agriculture industry and its consumers has made this a premier event strengthening food value chains in Eastern Ontario. The conference has moved throughout Eastern Ontario and annually attracts top international speakers from around the world.
In 2016, Ms. Nolan took the lead role in developing the Teeny Tiny Summit. It was initiated to engage and bring very small communities in scale-appropriate discussion on economic development. Since the first event in Seeleys Bay, more than 1,400 people have been engaged across Ontario with sessions held in Morrisburg, Merrickville, Tweed and Calabogie to name a few.
Ms. Nolan was part of the original committee that put together the resource material and leads the sessions for Community Economic Development (CED) – 101. She has presented throughout Eastern Ontario to many Councils and Economic Development Committees customizing her approach to the needs of each community or region.
She has played a major role in helping customize OMAFRA’s BR+E project to satisfy multiple municipalities, training staff and volunteers and offering support to municipalities throughout Eastern Ontario who were undertaking BR+E projects.
Ms. Nolan has been part of the Advanced Agriculture Leadership program and has travelled through regions of North America to learn about economic development programs such as the one in Vermont that she brought back and shared at the Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference. She was also the lead role on Agriculture as an Economic Development Opportunity Resource material.
She can be found at many conferences throughout Ontario facilitating sessions or presenting herself including OEMC, the EDCO Annual Conference and the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit.
Ms. Nolan has supported the development of others, initiated and implemented new programs that have benefited Eastern Ontario.
Her professionalism, resourcefulness and her leadership has been a true benefit to OMAFRA and Eastern Ontario.
The Ontario East Economic Development Commission is a regional economic development organization that promotes Eastern Ontario as a prime location for investment, representing over 200 communities and two million residents.
Shelley Hirstwood, President, Ontario East Economic Development Commission congratulates Katie Nolan on her dedication and successes in economic development across eastern Ontario.
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For more information please contact the Ontario East Economic Development Commission at 613-634-8569 or info@ontarioeast.ca
For more information about the Ontario East Municipal Conference: www.oemc.ca
