Service Clubs and Economic Development

Scott Ovell, community development officer for the Town of Huntsville, joined Rotary Club of Huntsville-Lake of Bays members as their guest speaker on Oct. 22. Scott spoke about the need to create not only economically viable communities through planning policy and job creation, but also vibrant and welcoming communities in which potential business owners and resident want to live. Service clubs such as Rotary, he said, play an important part in that.

He also said that the time of waiting for large manufacturers to relocate in Huntsville has long passed. And while fostering an environment in which those businesses would be welcome, within reason, the focus is now on small- and medium-sized businesses, whose owners are interested in the lifestyle north Muskoka has to offer.

Such a lifestyle, he said, is created not only by the natural environment, but also through humanitarian and socially engaged service clubs as well as cultural and sporting events or activities.

And those humanitarian initiatives are important, especially as Huntsville and, in general, Muskoka face attainable and affordable housing concerns, which will need to be addressed if businesses are expected to relocate to, or even stay in, the area, he said.