Presentation to Town Council April 21, 2015Development+Website... · 2015. 5. 6. · Brockton (Walkerton) – drinking water ... irrigation. This could take the form of an association

Progress Report David J. Cash, Cash & Associates Inc Glenn Marshall, Greening Marketing Inc.

Presentation to Town Council April 21, 2015

Background ◦ Project Work Plan ◦ Comparative Advantage

Findings and Potential Opportunities Water Reuse Resource Recovery & Reuse Centre for Watershed Management (CWM) Business Incubator

Workshop Outcomes Marketing Plan/Concepts ◦ “Community….as it should be”

Progress Report (Council) April 21, 2015 2

2011 Economic Development Strategy Key themes:

Quality of places & spaces Partnerships & collaboration Effective rural stewardship

High levels goals: Build attractive, liveable & sustainable community Lead collaboration to advance ED priorities Support business investment in urban & rural areas


“Cleantech” is a term often used to describe the

Environment Sector and/or its components.

Many definitions exist: “Cleantech is any product or services that improves

operational performance, productivity, or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste, or environmental pollution.” --- Wikipedia

EG Cleantech strategy focussed on “Water

Sector”


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Town Council endorsed the undertaking of the “Cleantech Investment Attraction Project” in late 2014 and work commenced in January 2015.

The purpose of this Strategy is to: Identify economic development opportunities Potential for business incubator

Project Partners: South Lake Community Futures Development Corp.

(CFDC) Regional Municipality of York Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)

4 Phases - Background; Roundtable;

Marketing/Incubator & Recommendations Progress Report (Council) April 21, 2015 5

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Purpose identify economic development opportunities associated with the York Region water/waste water infrastructure investment and the environmental policies concerning the health of Lake Simcoe, and assess the potential to accelerate new business activity within EG, through an incubator or similar initiative.

Successful Economic Development for a community is rooted in exploiting its unique economic “Comparative Advantages”

Comparative Advantages can exist as a “natural resource” and/or can be created

Successful marketing programs focus on

promoting the comparative advantage.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

(particularly in the context of a locational advantage “on the ground”). Business activity, investment and job creation occur where these advantages are developed. E.g. Sudbury’s mining industry; Niagara’s tourism; Toronto’s financial sector; Waterloo’s education/technology hub etc.

EG’s 10 year Economic Development Strategy is more about creating comparative advantages Building an urban/rural community that is

“attractive, liveable and sustainable. No significant existing comparative advantages in

the Cleantech Industry. Need to be created/developed

New Employment Lands Hwy 404 will need servicing Hwy 400-404 Link is most important advantage


The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development reports that: ◦ Ontario Water industry = 900 firms &

22,000 employees ◦ History of Innovative (e.g. membranes,

ultraviolet) ◦ 750+ water/wastewater plants ◦ About 100 technology incubators ◦ 100+ water related research institutes, with

8,000+ post-secondary graduates


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Water Industry - can be grouped into water infrastructure; waste water management & water purification Essentially, it is a growing and lucrative segment of today's knowledge-based economy, and has become the focus of many economic development strategies by government, at all levels.

What is Ontario’s ED Strategy for Water? 1. Increasing Investment and Global Access 2. Driving the Adoption of Innovative Technologies

“Innovation, demonstration and commercialization hub for water technologies”

3. Creating Competitive Advantage “Increase the number of major infrastructure

projects in Ontario utilizing innovative technologies and financing methods”

Ontario has Identified Opportunities


Presenter

Presentation Notes

EG’s Cleantech initiative and the emerging opportunities identified are consistent with the Province’s Strategies 2&3. Ontario has identified a number of Opportunities: “Energy and nutrient recovery – making wastewater facilities energy-positive profit centres, Agriculture – irrigation management, groundwater protection, Industrial – food and beverage, closed loop systems, waste management and water use reduction, and Innovative storm water practices and systems – innovative source control and increasing the resiliency of storm water systems.” Once again, EG’s Cleantech initiative and the emerging opportunities identified are consistent with the Province’s Strategies

Attracting Cleantech business activity: “Motherhood and Apple Pie”

Many municipalities in on the action: Burlington – water industry/supply chain Peterborough – recreational/rural water & agr. Brockton (Walkerton) – drinking water Kawartha Lakes – waste water treatment

Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) research, development, demonstration and testing of

water and waste water technologies.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

The SOWC is a consortium of: universities; Cities of London + Kitchener-Waterloo + Guelph and 70 firms Focus on “watershed management, wastewater treatment, ……… The participating municipalities provide access to their waste water facilities for “watershed scale” testing of treatment technologies.

There is a large number of water related research & development organizations. Very crowded space Collaborative strategies characterize all efforts

Water industry follows “Water Brains”, not

where their water products & services are used

Part of “knowledge-based industries” Most important input is the knowledge and skills

of its labour force. .


Presenter

Presentation Notes

There is noticeable concern among the players about the creation of yet another “organization” focused on “water”. Tapping into existing networks to leverage opportunities could be an effective approach.

Water purification and waste water treatment are well covered by Centers/Post-Secondary

Locational advantages have been “created” through partnerships

Government funding, procurement and policies are critical.

Need a “razor focus” on unique opportunities or gaps and tied to a local advantage.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

The water industry is working hard with them to have their “latest & greatest” products & technologies used.

York UYSS/Water Reclamation Centre (WRC) Conventional wastewater treatment plant to be

supplemented with microfiltration, plus Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ultra-violet.

Reclaimed water could be “taken off” the WRC

process with different levels of nutrients

End of process “ultra pure water” will have to be treated before being discharged into river.

No regulations concerning the reuse of this type of water. Ministry still considers this as “waste”


The following opportunities have emerged for further consideration:

1. Waste Water Reuse (from WRC): a) Use of the nutrient rich water on site for research and

development associated with agriculture and irrigation. This could take the form of an association with Ontario post-secondary institution(s) and/or Centres of Excellence, linking into the existing array of water/waste water organizations.

b) Use of the nutrient rich water transferred by pipe to nearby users, such as sod/turf growers; golf courses or similar recreational properties and agricultural growers – e.g. the greenhouse industry.


c) Utilization of the “Ultra Pure Water” for industrial processes and products – such as precision cutting of materials or making products (e.g. semi-conductors, cement, ice).

d) Green Earth Village This 550 acre site could become

a showcase full scale development community for the reuse of WRC water and application of LID related technologies/designs. “Smart Water” usage and District Energy are also potential elements.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Some of the literature on the reuse of hyper clean water even suggests that this type of very clean water is desired by beverage industries as a main ingredient. However, reuse of this water for human consumption represents a quantum leap in the current approvals/regulatory thinking in Ontario. This site also borders on the south side of the planned route for the link between Hyws 400 and 404. Future employment lands along this corridor will provide highly sought after locations for businesses, including those interested in utilizing the WRC water. Markham has used a similar concept to attract businesses to its District Energy Centre along Hwy 407.

2. Resource Recovery and Reuse (At WRC) Use of nutrient rich water (on site) for nutrient recovery and reuse. Focus could be on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen, which could be used to produce other products (such as, fertilizer)–Chicago & Edmonton. Focus on commercial scale Phosphorus recovery and reuse appears to be an area that has not yet been implemented in a municipal waste water facility Ontario.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Phosphorus is a diminishing resource in the world, characterized by a finite supply (that is feasible). This type of focus has the potential to create a rather unique comparative advantage. Using recovered phosphorus to produce fertilizer can generate revenues that can offset its additional capital costs and/or operating costs for the owner of waste water facility. Technology is advancing in this field of recovery and reuse. One company’s process to recovery phosphorus and produce fertilizer, produces a high-quality product that is not water soluble when used – the nutrients are released only by the citrate in plants. If the WRC partnered with an industrial interest and linked up with a Post-Secondary Institution it could become part of the SOWC

3. Lake Simcoe Watershed Management Centre (WMC)

Comprehensive focus on the “business” of improving storm water management represents an emerging opportunity. The LSRCA is looking for partners to support the creation of a full scale testing + certification + training Centre to support Low Impact Development (LID). The Centre would have similarities to the Centre for Watershed Protection in the US.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Municipal waste water only represents a component of how nutrients enter a watershed.

4. Business Incubator/Accelerator The WRC and/or WMC concepts can be coupled with a business incubator/accelerator component.

“Venture LAB” is a Regional Innovation Centre located in Markham – has a focus on Cleantech and is a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs.

Venture LAB has expressed interest in supporting a business incubator/accelerator as part of this project similar to role with “Create IT Now”, Southlake in

Newmarket.


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Incubator - where new start up businesses would be supported and mentored to grow (e.g. Communitech in Waterloo) Typical types of support include physical space that is subsidized; free business advice/mentoring; access to operations; research linkages to post-secondary. Incubator trends and best practices Host location options and partnerships: York Region in association with the UYSS/WRC LSRCA and Ontario Water Centre An EG land owner/developer (demo LID) Site owned by the Town of EG

“Workshop on Water” held on March 31 with 31 attendees; 7 presentations from subject matter experts.

Confirmation that waste water reuse;

resource recovery/reuse and a Watershed Management Centre are “gaps” Definite EG opportunities. Phosphorus recovery for fertilizer is great

example, but outside current vision for UYSS/WRC.


Reuse of WRC waste water for agriculture has potential (could create a Agri-Hub), but more research is needed

Support for creation of Watershed Management

Center (WMC) - Partnerships Create “critical mass” by combining elements:

WRC + WMC + Research +Business Incubator Purple Pipe Agri-Hub Greenhouses/Farms Links to Post Secondary Institution


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Other spinoff ideas: pipe technologies for reducing leaks/infiltration; energy from incineration/district energy; and production of Biodiesel (Ultra Pure Water). Investigate linkages for UYSS/WRC to existing Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) Investigate Jobs & Prosperity Fund (Ontario) - could provide funding for various elements.

Long term to market community for innovative watershed management and waste water reuse/resource recovery Conventional thinking about waste water has to change Centres/partnerships will take time to firm up

Start with focus is marketing EG as the leading

community for sustainability – triple bottom line. Build the EG brand “Community... as it should be” Integrated media plan - various media, Plus co-op

Utilize innovative “Brand Reporting” technique –

authentic journalistic stories about EG “Planning... as it should be”


Presenter

Presentation Notes

Measureable results – advent and use of new media/social media tools brings built in measurement


EG Cleantech Strategy needs to focus on unique “water” opportunities: ◦ waste water reuse ◦ resource recovery & reuse ◦ watershed management centre and LID certification

Collaboration and partnerships needed for success and to create comparative advantage

Need to market community now, then to water projects when they come “on line”

Utilize coop advertising and brand reporting for innovation and cost effectiveness

Final report and recommendations by Apr 30


Documents

Presentation to Town Council April 21, 2015Development+Website... · 2015. 5. 6. · Brockton (Walkerton) – drinking water ... irrigation. This could take the form of an association