Bruce County and Bruce Power’s Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative won the Local Collaboration and Partnerships Award at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) President’s Dinner Awards of Excellence Ceremony on January 31 in Toronto. The initiative was also a finalist in the ‘Strategic Plans and Initiatives’ category.

In a February 4 media release, EDCO’s Awards of Excellence program aims to recognize and celebrate the outstanding work in economic development happening around the province of Ontario. The Award Ceremony is an opportunity to highlight the “best of the best in economic development.” This year, 98 submissions from across Ontario were received and evaluated by a panel of judges with experience in marketing, communications, tourism, and industrial/commercial development.

“Bruce County is pleased to be recognized for the great work we are doing in collaboration and partnerships for the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative,” said Mitch Twolan, Bruce County Warden. “The partnership with Bruce Power has had such a positive impact on Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, and to be recognized for this achievement at EDCO is a tremendous honour.”

Launched in 2016, the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative has brought together Bruce, Grey and Huron counties to support the expansion of Bruce Power’s nuclear supply chain into the region. There are now 43 suppliers located in nine communities across the region, occupying more than 250,000 square feet of warehouse, manufacturing and office space, with a commitment to collectively create nearly 500 local jobs in the next few years.

“Our partnership with Bruce County has had a profound impact on the region and to be able to share our story across Ontario is very satisfying for our employees,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “Recognition for this great work, by receiving this award, is an amazing achievement for our team. We look forward to continuing to build on our successes and to work collaboratively with our partners across Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.”

In addition to receiving an award for the Nuclear Economic Development Initiative, Bruce County also received an award in the Strategic Plans and Initiatives category for ‘Project Innovate: Driving Innovation in Bruce County’ and in the Planning and Building Initiatives category for ‘Paisley - The Artistic River Village.’