Tonight Residents Can Offer Views on Economic Development

A local committee is looking for residents to weigh in about economic development tonight. 

The Economic Development Workshop, hosted by the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) update committee, will be held Monday, Nov. 14 from 7 to 9 pm at the Canton Community Center.

"We really are looking for those stakeholders, if you will, to provide direction for us," said Jonathan Thiesse, chairman of the committee.

The workshop is a follow-up to a meeting last month that asked people for more general input. Economic Development was one of the biggest areas of concern and the committee wants to explore ideas further. 

During a recent meeting, the POCD update committee said they realize that opinions about economic development can vary, one of the reasons they would like to hear from as many people as possible.  

Issues include types of economic development as well as the process businesses must go through to open in town. 

For example, member Julius Fialkiewicz said at a recent meeting that even small businesses face challenges opening on Route 44 due to prohibitive setback requirements. 

The town is due to update is POCD by 2013. The document is designed to give town boards and commissions guidance in future decisions. 

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, please visit the newly reworked POCD Update Committee website at: http://cantonpocd.posterous.com/.