Video: Economic Development Workshop

Approximately 40 people participated in an interactive economic development workshop Monday night. 

The Plan of Conservation and Development Update Committee, with the help of Jason Vincent of Avon-based Planimetrics, hosted the meeting, the second of three public workshops. 

The Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) is a planning document designed to give the town a roadmap when making future decisions. It includes data and ideas for economic development, recreation, housing, conservation and much more.

The committee chose the economic development topic after it was identified as a high area of concern during the first workshop last month.

Monday night, participants gathered in groups at tables and Vincent asked them to go through a Community Structure Exercise and identify places in town that had distinct characteristics — such as villages, gateways, scenic resources and others.

Each group mapped the areas, defined features and discussed future possibilities.

A member of each group then shared thoughts with the entire crowd. In addition, each participant submitted written ideas about the existing elements and future possibilities of each area.

Collinsville and Route 44 were the most identified areas. Others included the schools and community center/library and North Canton. 

At the end of the meeting, residents began discussing economic development issues. While there have been some differences of opinion on what types of business are best for Canton, nearly all speakers agreed that the development approval process for those deemed appropriate should be much easier. 

See video for some specific ideas residents brought forward.

The next workshop, at a date to be determined, will involve setting much more specific economic priorities and ideas, Vincent said.

Canton’s POCD Update is scheduled to be completed by September 2013. Canton’s Board of Selectmen appointed the POCD Update Committee in December 2010 to coordinate this process. The Committee consists of volunteer representatives from Canton’s many active civic boards, agencies and community groups, as well as at-large members. 

The POCD Update Committee meets the fourth Monday of every month, at 7 pm in the Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave. Meetings are open to the public and participation is encouraged. For additional information regarding the POCD Update Committee and scheduled events, visit http://cantonpocd.posterous.com/.