Bruce County Creates Community Development Office

There are several large-scale and complex projects emerging within Bruce County that require coordinated, strategic County leadership and focused resources. Over the next two years, the new Community Development Office will focus on projects like Housing Supply in Bruce County, Growth of the Clean Energy and Medical Isotope Sectors, the Deep Geological Repository in South Bruce, and Pre-Development of the New Nuclear Reactor at Bruce Power. 

On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Bruce County Council approved the creation of the new Community Development Office, which is a key piece in Bruce County’s organizational restructuring and strategic planning. 

There are several large-scale and complex projects emerging within Bruce County that require coordinated, strategic County leadership and focused resources. Over the next two years, the new Community Development Office will focus on projects like Housing Supply in Bruce County, Growth of the Clean Energy and Medical Isotope Sectors, the Deep Geological Repository in South Bruce, and Pre-Development of the New Nuclear Reactor at Bruce Power. 

Each of these projects has the potential to positively impact the growth, development, and economic well-being of the County and its residents. The success of each of these projects requires significant and coordinated effort between County Programs and municipal partners, to create the right environment for achieving project and community success, and to prepare for the service delivery demands each project generates.

Current Director of Planning & Development, Claire Dodds, will become Bruce County’s Commissioner for the new Community Development Office. Claire will lead cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams drawing on existing staff resources to ensure strategic oversight, with the coordination of input, execution of projects, and alignment of services to support projects. The Community Development Office will also take on delivery of the important Economic Development portfolio, focus on partnership strengthening with Chippewas of Saugeen, Chippewas of Nawash, the Historic Saugeen Metis, and the Metis Nation of Ontario, and collaborate with Bruce County’s Intergovernmental Office to advocate for support from provincial and federal levels of government. Jack Van Dorp, on secondment, will become Bruce County’s Director of Planning and Development for the next two years. The Planning portfolio will continue to focus on Development, Land Use Planning, and Employment Services.

“Large-scale projects, like increasing housing supply or growing our nuclear industry, will positively impact community development in Bruce County,” said Warden Chris Peabody. “Through the new Community Development Office, we will be at the table early and actively, engaging with project proponents, developers, and municipal partners to prepare the right environment to achieve positive community outcomes.”

Discover more about Planning & Development.
Discover more about Economic Development.