Kincardine hires new staff in communications, economic development

The Municipality of Kincardine’s newly-formed strategic initiatives department has filled two staff positions - one to enhance communications and one to fill a vacancy in economic development.

That’s the word from strategic initiatives manager Lorie Fioze, in a press release issued Wednesday.

Jessie McGibbon has been hired as communications co-ordinator, a position created to improve communications and engagement with the public.

She comes to the municipality with considerable experience in communications in both the public and private sector. She worked at the County of Bruce for five years, where she helped craft messaging for economic development and planning programs.

McGibbon has a Bachelor’s degree from Trent University, a certificate in economic development from the University of Waterloo, and is completing a graduate diploma in public administration from the University of Western Ontario.

She grew up in Bruce County and lives in Paisley.

“The delivery of communications to the public and our community stakeholders is an important priority that was set out by council in the corporate strategic plan  last year,” said mayor Gerry Glover. “Our goal is to demonstrate that the  municipality is engaging, listening, and communicating with the public and our partners in inclusive and proactive ways.”   

Over the next couple of months, staff will work to create a communications and engagement plan to increase public awareness of municipal initiatives and services, providing the public with information to better understand and participate in local government.  
 
Kincardine also welcomes Cherie Leslie as community economic development co-ordinator. She will support the work outlined in the Economic Development Strategy and comes to the municipality with extensive experience in planning and development.

Leslie has worked for the Town of Gravenhurst as a community planner, for the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) as an environmental planner, and most recently, for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) as senior engagement advisor.

She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo and is working toward a certificate in economic development from the University of Waterloo. She lives on a farm near Teeswater.

Kincardine’s Economic Development Strategy includes actions to support local business retention and expansion, examine housing needs, support agriculture, and capitalize on nuclear supply-chain opportunities, among other goals.
  
“The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has impacted us all,” said Glover. “It has changed the way we live, the way we work, the way we serve our community. As we move out of the pandemic, it’s time to rebuild, reconnect, and support our long-term economic sustainability.”