Recent Projects
McSweeney & Associates has extensive experience in the areas of Economic Development, Municipal Management and Real Estate Development.
View a list of recent projects in:
Economic Development
Municipal Management
Real Estate Development
2006 EDAC Award Winner! Quinte Economic Development Commission: Target Market Study: Analysis and Competitive Positioning. McSweeney & Associates, in association with TD Graham & Associates and Kate McEnroe Consulting, recently completed this study which included: economic base analysis; labour force analysis; competitive positioning analysis; a documentation of local labour force development capabilities; and a SWOT analysis. The study also included an analysis of target sectors, industries and markets based upon thorough economic and export forecast analysis, and detailed examination of potential target sectors against the competitive advantages of Quinte. The study concluded with a marketing strategy and a marketing action plan for the target markets and sectors. In late 2006, Quinte landed a major investment in Belleville, a $100 million new plant by Kellogg's to manufacture breakfast cereal, the first major plant in 20 years for Kellogg's. This followed less than a year after McSweeney & Associates identified food processing and a number of food sub-sectors (including cereals) as a target industry for the Quinte area.
Economic Developers Council of Ontario: Local Economies in Transition Initiative. This Initiative is to kick-start a transition in investment attraction and retention activities in Ontario and is centred on the transfer of knowledge from top US site selectors to Ontario's EDOs, members of municipal economic development committees, and elected officials. The project was organized to facilitate that transfer of knowledge in the most efficient manner possible - to as many EDOs as possible. While the pinnacle of the knowledge transfer occurred in a series of six roundtables in different geographic regions in Ontario, all project documentation is available on the project web site.
City of Dryden: Investment Readiness Assessment. After attending a recent EDCO-LETI roundtable (above project), the City of Dryden realized it needed to improve its investment readiness. McSweeney & Associates completed a complete investment readiness assessment including a documentation and web site review, a mock request for proposal from a site selector, and a mock site visit. This was followed by a number of reports on the current state of Dryden's readiness, and the development of an action plan to address identified gaps. Funded by the Northern Community Investment Readiness (NCIR) program.
Municipality of Red Lake: Investment Readiness Projects. McSweeney & Associates recently undertook a number of investment readiness projects funded by NCIR, including an asset inventory, investment readiness awareness training, market study and strategic action plan.
Ontario East Economic Development Commission: Information Database and Site Selection Web Portal. McSweeney & Associates, in association with a number of partners, recently launched a leading edge site selection web portal utilizing site selection criteria mapping to aid in the speed of the site selectors work. The Web Portal has been designed to attract new wealth investment and jobs to Ontario East through its innovative geographical mapping solution (GIS). It provides wide-ranging, detailed information in text, graphic, and map forms. Its advanced searching capabilities enable a site selector to quickly pinpoint the right property for an investment based upon user-defined variables. www.ONTeast.com
Haldimand County: Economic Base Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Preparation of Marketing Tools. McSweeney & Associates and its strategic alliance partners recently completed this work within a highly compressed and urgent timeframe - ahead of schedule, and on budget. In fact a contract extension was awarded by the client to complete additional work within the tight 10 week timeframe. The project included an economic base study, labour force analysis, investment readiness assessment, marketing strategy, and the development of a complete set of marketing collateral materials, including a new web site: www.businesshaldimand.com
Municipality of North Grenville: Economic Development Strategy - McSweeney & Associates recently completed an economic development strategy for North Grenville. This community near Ottawa is experiencing rapid residential growth without concurrent employment growth. The strategy recommends a number of strategies to diversify and grow the local economy including building the impact of key local generators as well strategies for downtown Kemptville, tourism development and industrial land development.
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership: Economic Development Strategy - McSweeney & Associates recently completed an economic development strategy for the Partnership. Work included an economic base analysis, labour force analysis, a review of economic forecasts, process facilitation, and strategy development.
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands: Economic Development Strategic Plan.
McSweeney & Associates recently completed an economic development strategic plan for the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. The Plan contained a summary of the economic analysis and stakeholder consultations undertaken. It also provided a brief description of the current situation, the desired future state, and action plans for each of the five strategic themes based upon input received from interviews and the stakeholder summit. Finally, the Plan concluded with recommendations related to implementation, and are seen to be critical success factors for economic development in Leeds and the Thousand Islands.
County of Northumberland: “Navigating our Future Prosperity” Economic Development Strategy.
McSweeney & Associates were retained by Northumberland County to prepare an economic development strategy for its entire jurisdiction. The development of the strategy involved the use of economic-base modeling, extensive stakeholder consultation as well as the use of facilitated workshops and focus groups.
Town of Ajax: Economic Development Strategy.
McSweeney & Associates recently completed an economic development strategy for the Town of Ajax. This project involved a complete labour force analysis, including labour mobility analysis, as 79% of the Town’s work force commute to work in other municipalities (mainly Toronto). A significant economic base analysis was also undertaken, utilizing location quotient and shift-share analysis, as well as a comparison of industry concentrations in competing communities. This was supplemented with extensive interviews and focus groups concentrating on a SWOT analysis and economic foundations assessment, followed by a visioning summit which led to the creation of the draft economic strategy.
County of Renfrew: Five Year Economic Development Masterplan.
McSweeney & Associates recently prepared a Masterplan for the County. The first phase identified and assessed economic development opportunities and recommended primary areas of focus. The second phase involved the preparation of the economic development masterplan which investigated, defined, and developed actions in four primary areas of focus.
City of Ottawa: Economic Development Strategy.
McSweeney & Associates was the lead consultant in the preparation of “Serving Ottawa: Economic Strategies to Develop Ottawa’s Economy” for the City of Ottawa. This strategy received significant media attention and frequent references, and broad business community support upon its release. The development of this strategy involved extensive background research including: an economic base analysis (location quotients and shift-share analysis) comparing Ottawa to Ontario, Canada, and 5 Provincial capitals over several time periods; a labour force and employment analysis; and extensive consultation.
Municipality of Trent Hills: Market Feasibility Study, and Market Potential for a Casino, Hotel, & Conference Centre.
McSweeney & Associates, in association with TD Graham & Associates, completed this study in 2006 which included: economic base analysis; labour force analysis; competitive positioning analysis; and a documentation of investment readiness. The study included an analysis of current strategies, economic development and marketing efforts. The study concluded with strategic marketing directions for the identified targets. In addition the following work was completed: potential to establish a charity casino; the feasibility of establishing a hotel/resort/conference facility; and a "highest and best use" analysis of the business park's waterfront lot.
Town of Lakeshore: Economic Development Strategy.
McSweeney & Associates recently completed an economic development strategy for the Town. The development of the strategy involved the use of economic-base modeling, extensive stakeholder consultation as well as the use of facilitated workshops and focus groups.
United Counties of Leeds & Grenville: Economic Development Competitive Analysis.
McSweeney & Associates recently completed a competitive economic analysis of the County, including location quotient analysis, shift-share analysis, comparisons with competing communities, identification of economic development opportunities, and a competitive assessment of adjacent upper New York State.
City of Clarence-Rockland: Retail & Services Study.
Completed in 2006 by Market Research Corporation and McSweeney & Associates, this study undertook a complete retail analysis, market and shopper research, and delivered recommendations to this municipality immediately east of Ottawa.
City of Ottawa: International Best Practices in Stakeholder Consultation for Strategic Economic Planning.
This project researched and documented best practices and leading edge innovations in stakeholder consultation being used (or capable of being used) around the world in strategic economic planning.
Republic of Poland: Economic Development Best Practices Review.
As part of a larger project in Poland, McSweeney & Associates reviewed and described international best practices in economic development. The project included documentation of a “Regional Economic Development Authorities” model in Saskatchewan. Also developed was a management development assessment matrix to characterize the level of development/advancement of economic development organizations in Poland.
Municipal Management - Capacity Building - Governance
Town of Caleton Place: Strategic Plan. Carleton Place, located near Ottawa, is experiencing rapid residential growth. The community strongly desired a strategy to determine how it should respond to a number of pressures, and to develop a vision for the future of Carleton Place. The strategy points to several key strengths for Carleton Place to build on, including its heritage and history, recreation, arts and cultural, economic and tourism development, as well as downtown transformation.
Counties of Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington: Housing Needs Analysis
This study involved the detailed analysis of housing demand and supply trends with respect to affordable housing needs and the identification of gaps. The study also obtained input on the feasibility of affordable housing from key stakeholders and centres of influence in study area. The study was used to assist the client to comply with the requirements of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Counties of Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington: Child Care Population Demand Analysis
This study detailed demographic analysis of child care age population and demand, family structure, incomes and affordability analysis (using customized data) to meet the requirements for inclusion of the Ministry of Community and Social Services mandated "Best Start" Program.
Batchewana First Nation: Blue Heron Industrial Park Management Review.
McSweeney & Associates completed this work in 2006, which included a review of the local labour force characteristics, industrial land market analysis, location analysis, and a review of property administration and management for Batchewana Band Industries of the Batchewana First Nation.
Shibogama Kanawayneemidowin: Board Governance and Best Practices Workshop.
Prepared and conducted a board governance best practices workshop and self-evaluation, which was used as the basis for preparing a Board self-improvement plan. Shibogama Kanawayneemidowin is a non-profit charitable corporation established by, and closely affiliated with the Shibogama area First Nations.
Chukuni Community Futures Development Corporation: Organizational Review.
McSweeney & Associates conducted a complete organizational review of this CFDC, and delivered substantial governance and policy related recommendations.
Ottawa Chamber of Commerce: By-Law and Governance Review.
Eric prepared a by-law and governance review of this Chamber of Commerce (new by-law prepared & approved, governance and operational policies prepared, reviewed, approved).
Municipality of North Grenville: Community Strategic Plan.
In early 2006, McSweeney & Associates completed a community strategic planning process that engaged over 600 stakeholders in the preparation of a community-wide strategic plan for the Municipality of North Grenville.
Town of Arnprior: Strategic Plan.
McSweeney & Associates was the lead consultant in the preparation of a strategic plan for the Town of Arnprior. Designed a public participation process which involved over 500 people in a Town of 7,500 people. Interviewed all key stakeholders and business leaders. Facilitated focus group sessions.
Republic of Poland: Institutional Development Project.
McSweeney & Associates was appointed “Deputy Team Leader (International)” for international consultants engaged in the Rural Development Program in Poland (World Bank supported). Activities included as a member of the project management team: applied expertise in project planning, management, and monitoring; coordinated and supervised work of international consultants; responsibility for knowledge transfer from international to local consultants. McSweeney & Associates was also international consultant on strategic management, economic development and public participation. The contract required the preparation of a complete organizational analysis and institutional development plan for each of 33 pilot units at three sub-national government levels. The main purpose was to develop and test a methodology for institutional analysis, followed by organizational capacity building (to strengthen management capacity and improve the performance of selected sub-national local governments).
Local Government Capacity Building in Central and Eastern Europe.
McSweeney & Associates has several years experience in providing local government capacity building, economic development and strategic planning training and consulting assistance to municipalities in Bosnia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, and Russia. Contracts have included developing and delivering training modules in: Local Economic Development; Strategic Planning; Process Facilitation; Project Management; Concepts of Real Property & its Development; Leading Organizational Change; and Project Monitoring & Evaluation.
Republic of Hungary: ASD Research.
McSweeney & Associates provided professional consulting assistance and direction in the conduct of ASD research at the macro (national) and micro (municipal) levels in Hungary. The purpose of the research was to provide recommendations to the Government of Hungary on increasing the effectiveness of policy and programming related to cost effective municipal service delivery. McSweeney & Associates also developed and delivered a 2 day workshop on Alternative Service Delivery, with a focus on Public-Private Partnerships.
Real Estate Development
Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus: Retail Study for New Campus.
McSweeney & Associates, in cooperation with the Market Research Corporation, recently completed a study to determine the extent of demand for additional retail and service floor space at the proposed new campus. Algonquin College does not want to compete with other retailers, mall owners or the downtown, and required recommendations on the type of retail that would complement existing retail and the strengthen the downtown. The study analyzed the local market and provided information on the extent of market demand, and recommendations related to specific retail uses that would meet Algonquin's objectives.
Hotel & Retail Feasibility Study.
McSweeney & Associates, in cooperation with the Market Research Corporation, recently completed a study examining the market feasibility of retail, hotel, and other related uses on a privately owned site in a high tourist traffic area of Eastern Ontario. The study concluded with recommendations on the highest and best economic use of the site, and with recommendations to the owner on how best to proceed with site development.
Township of Augusta: Feasibility Study and Marketing Approach for the Augusta Industrial Park.
McSweeney & Associates recently completed a study that included industrial land market analysis, location analysis, development scenarios and cost estimates, as well as marketing recommendations for this 200 acre site.
Batchewana First Nation: Blue Heron Industrial Park Management Review.
McSweeney & Associates completed this work in 2006, which included a review of the local labour force characteristics, industrial land market analysis, location analysis, and a review of property administration and management for Batchewana Band Industries of the Batchewana First Nation.
University of Waterloo.
Eric McSweeney of McSweeney & Associates has acted as coordinator/lecturer of University of Waterloo seminars on “Planning, Property Development & the Local Economy”.
City of Ottawa.
McSweeney & Associates prepared a proforma financial and risk analysis of different development scenarios for a 100+acre residential subdivision, and made recommendations to client based upon financial risk/reward trade-offs.
City of Ottawa.
Eric McSweeney directed the planning, development, marketing and sales of the highly successful Ottawa and Hawthorne Business Parks.