Hope announces Bridge as head of economic strategy group

The Chair of the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC), Mayor Randy Hope of Chatham-Kent, has announced that Wellington County Warden George Bridge has been elected as the Chair of the Warden’s Caucus Economic Development Committee. The committee was established to fill the void left by the dissolution of the South Western Economic Alliance (SWEA).

“Warden Bridge is an excellent choice,” said Mayor Hope, “His background in the financial industry and his current responsibilities in the economic development of Wellington County will provide focus and leadership for this new initiative.”

Among the committee’s first priorities will be the development of a Southwestern Ontario Economic Development Strategy. The committee will begin the process by advising the Premier of Ontario and appropriate provincial ministries of the intention of the Warden’s Caucus to approach the Mayors of the Separated Cities (Guelph, Brantford, Stratford, London, St. Mary’s, St. Thomas, Barrie, Orillia, Windsor) and the Chair of the Region of Waterloo in order to formulate an economic alliance partnership.

Early in the new year, the mayors will be invited to attend a WOWC meeting to discuss items of shared interest and consider a rural/urban caucus structure that will allow for collaborative partnerships in infrastructure renewal, and financial and technological opportunities, as well as addressing regulatory challenges. The final stage will be to define and develop a Southwestern Ontario Economic Development Strategy.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to lead this important committee,” says Warden George Bridge. “I look forward to the process, meeting with all of the Mayors and helping to return economic prosperity to Southwestern Ontario.”