Grey celebrating newcomers on Feb. 14
Submitted by rhatten on Mon, 2018-02-05 11:46
Learn about the experiences of newcomers at the New to Grey kickoff event at Grey Roots.
Newcomers are an important part of our communities in Grey County. Coming from outside of the country or from other areas of Canada, newcomers bring culture, skills and knowledge to our communities and workplaces.
New to Grey is a 15-month initiative funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration aimed at attracting and retaining newcomers in Grey County.
Retaining Newcomers
Grey County is laying the foundation for our region to better retain newcomers.
Step 1 – Environmental scan of the County and local businesses.
Step 2 – Celebrating the diversity that already exists.
Step 3 – Stakeholder engagement, community workshops and tours.
Step 4 – Attraction and retention toolkits and other resources for communities, employers and newcomers.
Forming Partnerships
Grey County can’t create welcoming communities and attract newcomers alone. Throughout New to Grey, we will engage with our local municipalities, businesses and community groups and organizations. and other stakeholders. Partners and projects include:
Newcomer Centre of Peel
Grey County is working with the Rural Employment Initiative arm of the newcomer Centre of Peel, in Mississauga. This provincially-funded project is responding to the demand of newcomers living in the Peel Region and looking to build lives in rural communities.
On February 28, Grey County hosted more than 30 newcomers on a community tour of Grey County. The group attended a workshop at Blue Mountain and then made their way to the 2018 Regional Job Fair in Owen Sound.
“Making Grey Bruce Home” pilot project
Grey County is partnering with the United Way Bruce Grey and the Welcoming Communities Committee on their project “Making Grey Bruce Home.” Funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, this project’s goal is to develop a model of providing support services for refugees and vulnerable newcomers.
Why choose Grey County?
Grey County offers rewarding career opportunities and a quality of life unlike any other area in Ontario. Some reasons newcomers are choosing Grey County include:
- Jobs
- Business opportunities
- Affordable living and attainable housing
- Quality of life
- Natural landscapes and tranquil scenic views
- No traffic
- Outdoor recreation
- Grey County is a welcoming community that helps create a sense of belonging
Why is New to Grey important?
Year after year, research such as the EmployerOne Survey shows a growing gap in the availability of skilled workers in our region. Employers can’t find enough workers with the skills they need for their business. Attracting new skilled workers to the area will help Grey County as a whole prosper.
Grey County is positioned well for attracting newcomers. Housing prices in urban areas are rising and working families are looking for affordable communities to make home. Additionally, our local Georgian College campus in Owen Sound has seen a dramatic increase in International students in their programs in recent years. Attracting newcomers is only step one. New to Grey will also help us keep newcomers in our community by connecting them with the supports they need to plant their roots in Grey County.
