About Thrive PEC

Thrive in Prince Edward County is a community-led process of discovery, asking the fundamental questions of:

1. What do we want our community to be in 10 years time?

2. How can people and local organizations and businesses in PEC come together to develop and action this collaborative vision?

Community Conversations

Meaningful and focused community conversations to safely share diverse perspectives.

Asset Mapping

Evaluation of assets and opportunities within the community, whether natural, built, ideas, skills or otherwise.

Capacity Building

Strengthening PEC’s skills, resources. and resilience to thrive in a fast-changing world.

Planning for Renewal

Development of community-led plans that reflect the aspirations and values of residents.

Why is Thrive needed?

Prince Edward County is facing pressing issues including:

  • Emerging from COVID-19
  • Alleviating the housing crisis
  • Decreasing the disparity between “haves” and “have nots”
  • Easing dissension and frustration among residents and businesses
  • Adapting to changing demographics
  • Diversifying and strengthening our economy
  • Attracting and retaining capital investment
  • Preparing for the future

These are complex issues that require input from diverse groups, businesses & citizens

It’s not something that community groups can tackle by themselves. Nor is it something that local businesses can take on by themselves. Nor is it the responsibility of the municipality alone. 

We all need to work together.

Thrive PEC emerged from the Community Economies Pilot Project

Thrive PEC is an outcome of participation in a 12-month national Community Economies Pilot launched by the Shorefast Foundation (led by Zita Cobb) in July 2021.

Prince Edward County was selected as one of the 5 pilot communities, alongside South Island, B.C., London and Hamilton, ON., and Fogo Island, N.L., exploring how small communities respond to, plan for, and build resiliency toward gentrification and change.

The project is mapping the critical levers, relationships and structures to best catalyze positive change, and strategically developing tools and resources to strengthen place-based economic development.

To lead its development and implementation, Shorefast partnered with Community Foundations of Canada, the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University, and the Canadian Urban Institute.

Prince Edward County is represented by The County Foundation, the Municipality and Community Futures.

Outcomes of the Community Economies Pilot

The pilot allowed PEC to access world-renowned experts in the areas of community engagement, financing, collaboration and data.

PEC will benefit from the pilot’s tools, resources, and guidance to strengthen our community economy through:

  • Developing new and innovative ways of working together
  • Accessing data crucial to understanding a community’s health, wealth and future opportunities
  • Attracting funds to help communities grow
  • Building new skills in community leaders.

Through the Shorefast pilot there is support and expertise available to help kickstart Prince Edward County’s community development process.

Supporters of the Community Economies Pilot Project

Join the Conversation

Email

contactus@thrivepec.ca

Co-creating a renewed collective vision for community and economic development in Prince Edward County

Photography: OneLook Productions, Daniel Vaughan, Trevor Crowe, George Fischer, Robbie Garden, Karen Palmer & members of the community

THRIVE PEC 2023 - Prince Edward County, Ontario