The municipalities that make up the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent are changing as populations grow, resulting in the need for more development support. The regional government recently reaffirmed its commitment to supporting area businesses by focusing on the essential role of innovation, collaboration, and local support.
The Haut-Saint-Laurent is home to a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem made up of more than 760 businesses, of which 85 per cent have fewer than ten employees. These organizations and businesses are operating in rapidly evolving environments marked by labour shortages and challenges, innovation imperatives, and the need for economic diversification. Through its network of partners offering specialized services, support tools, and funding opportunities, the MRC is an important ally for local businesses as they encounter these issues.
Following its participation in a strategic forum organized by the Chambre de Commerce at d’Industrie Beauharnois-Valleyfield-Haut-Saint-Laurent (CCIBVHSL) in January, the MRC is working on several initiatives designed to enhance the region’s economic appeal while addressing the needs expressed by business owners and entrepreneurs.
The forum, which took place in Ormstown, brought the region’s federal and provincial deputies together with elected municipal officials and representatives from the Haut-Saint-Laurent and Beauharnois-Salaberry along with members of the business community. The event featured several panel discussions and structured talks that delved into broad policy directions to address pressing local challenges and regional economic issues.
The event confirmed several priorities for the MRC, including the need for improved access to the workforce, the importance of supporting innovation and business modernization, the need for structured economic diversification, and the growing challenges associated with business transition or succession.
To address these needs, the MRC’s regional development department will focus on creating opportunities for recurring sector-specific meetings, strengthening the innovation corridor, continuing its land-use planning efforts, and intensifying its collaborations with local partners.
“We’re talking about adopting an agile approach to offer personalized support and quickly provide solutions to address the emerging collective needs of entrepreneurs,” said regional development coordinator Rejean Lampron. “This includes guidance on government programs, access to local funds (FLI, FLS, FSE), and personalized support for training planning, equipment modernization, and business takeovers, among other things,” he added.
As the official gateway for support for local businesses, Lampron said the MRC is in the process of analyzing different strategies and developing projects to continue to boost local economic development initiatives.
The CCIBVHSL is hosting a regional summit on April 15 in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield where some of the discussions initiated in Ormstown around current regional and economic challenges will continue.