South Central Ontario Region - SCOR : FAQs - South Central Ontario Region

SCOR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - PDF Version

1. What is SCOR?

SCOR stands for South Central Ontario Region and is defined by the boundaries of the five counties of Brant, Elgin, Middlesex, Norfolk and Oxford.

2. Who are the SCOR partners?

The Corporation of the County of Brant, the Corporation of the County of Elgin, the Corporation of the County of Middlesex, the Corporation of the County of Oxford and the Corporation of Norfolk County formed the partnership and have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding concerning their mandate and goals. The MOU can be found on the SCOR web site at www.scorregion.com.

3. Are the separated cities part of SCOR?

The founding and continuing focus of the SCOR partnership remains the economies of the rural and small urban aspects of the traditional tobacco production region – ‘the Sand Plain’. The Cities of London, Brantford and St. Thomas are not part of the SCOR partnership. Nonetheless, the SCOR Partners recognizes that the regional plan being prepared will require linkages with the plans of the large urban centres in the region. We will seek opportunities for economic cooperation and coordination of efforts.

4. What about the City of Woodstock, Town of Ingersoll and the other urban centres?

With the exception of the separated cities, all other urban centres are participants in the SCOR partnership through their respective County governments.

5. How is SCOR funded?

In 2008, the SCOR partners each contributed $5,000 to a joint account and are providing staff support and other in-kind resources. The five Community Futures Development Corporations operating in the region - Enterprise Brant, Elgin Community Futures Development Corporation, the Community Futures Development Corporation of Middlesex County, and the Norfolk District Business Development Corporation and the Oxford Small Business Support Centre Inc. also have contributed $5,000 each.

6. How is OMAFRA involved?

The Province of Ontario has contributed funds for the development of the Strategic Management Plan for Economic Development. Through OMAFRA, staff and financial resources have been allocated to the SCOR partnership and OMAFRA has provided strategic and operational planning assistance to help SCOR with the development of a long-term economic diversification framework for the region. OMAFRA will also coordinate linkages with other ministries from the provincial government to gain input and information from across the province to further contribute to the success of the SCOR partnership.

7. Who is on the SCOR Executive Committee?

Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale is Chair of the SCOR Executive Committee. Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar (who represents Oxford County on the Executive) is Vice Chair. Aylmer Mayor Bob Habkirk (who represents Elgin County on the Executive) is Treasurer. Other SCOR Executive Committee members are Mayor Ron Eddy and Councillor Kevin Hodge (both representing Brant County), Malahide Mayor John Wilson (representing Elgin County), Warden Jim Maudsley and North Middlesex Mayor Wes Hodgson (both representing Middlesex County), Councillor Jim Oliver (representing Norfolk County), and Norwich Township Mayor Don Doan (representing Oxford County). Information on the membership of the SCOR Administrative Committee and the Strategic Planning Team can be found on the SCOR web site at www.scorregion.com.

8. How can I get involved?

The SCOR partnership is leading an intensive exercise aimed at creating a Strategic Management Plan for Economic Development. It is vital to the success of the plan to involve community and business stakeholders in its development and implementation. The SCOR partnership appointed a group of sixteen (16) dedicated and visionary volunteers to a Strategic Planning Team. Another 90 community/business volunteers with the support of resource persons drawn from all levels of government have developed action plans. Volunteers have been drawn from all parts of the region and all sectors of the economy. Region-wide consultation has provided valuable input to decision-making. While demonstrating strong support for the work of our volunteers, community input has refined and shaped the long-term vision for SCOR. A vision statement supported by strategic directions and related goals have been adopted by the SCOR Executive Committee. Actions plans and fifteen (15) priorities for action also have been recommended and are currently the subject of community consultation. In May 2009, further consultation is taking place across the region. For more information, visit www.scorregion.com.

9. How is SCOR associated with the Sand Plains Community Development Fund?

The Government of Canada has launched the Sand Plains Community Development Fund, its $15-million application-based program to assist rural communities in the tobacco-growing region known as the Sand Plains to transition to a non-tobacco based economy. Funding will be targeted to community-based initiatives which support regional development, attract and retain people and investment, and stimulate business development and job creation. At the request of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Rural Secretariat), SCOR is participating through involvement on the Program Steering Committee. SCOR looks forward to guiding delivery of this program for the benefit of the rural residents, communities and businesses of the region. SCOR will continue to advocate for rural initiatives with regional importance.

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