The CDC is actively involved in community partnerships and projects that will improve and enhance the quality of life and economic environment of Orillia and the surrounding area.

Our focus is mainly on economic and business-related initiatives, although we are also supportive of projects that promote positive development of the community in general.

Our projects currently include the following:

Charting Our Future
	The current regional community strategic plan – Charting Our Future – was officially released in 2001. Follow-up consultations with contributing individuals and organizations have been completed and the updated documents are now available. The following links will lead to the individual ‘chapters’. Protecting Our Natural Environment Update Investing in Families Update Honouring Our Elders Update Maintaining Personal and Community Health Update
Community Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee Criteria For Funding
	Co-ordination and financial support for the local Community Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, which is currently working directly with Soldier's Memorial Hospital in the recruitment  and retentionof both family physicians and specialists.
Knowledge Based Economy
	Commenced development of a Knowledge Based Economy (KBE) project. Based on the priorities identified in the community strategic plan (Charting Our Future) and further refined in a community consultation meeting held in October 2002, applications for funding were submitted to Industry Canada for the completion of a Business Gaps Analysis, Community Portal study and the development of a DVD on medical careers in rural Ontario targeted at youth in Grades 7-10.
Ontario's Lake Country
	Administrative and financial support to Ontario's Lake Country; the region's tourism association.
Education & Business Task Force
	Co-ordination of the Education & Business Task Force, which is responsible for the local implementation of Passport to Prosperity. Projects for 2005 include: Principal Leader for a Day, Mass Interviews, and ongoing support to the coop programs at the four local secondary schools through employer appreciation.