Councillor Kelly's Statement on Economic Development Rural Plan/Analysis of Carp Parking Situation
- Clarke Kelly
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Today at Council, we carried the report from our last ARAC meeting which includes the new Economic Development Rural Plan.
Importantly, this plan reflects input from the 2024 Ottawa Rural Summit, and also provides a refreshed, evidence-informed framework to support rural economic growth. It builds on previous initiatives and aligns with municipal, provincial, and federal priorities. I am very excited that the Rural Plan includes the City's first-ever dedicated rural economic development staff position which will serve as a direct point of contact for rural businesses.
The City did develop a Rural Economic Development Strategy in 2020. When we managed to bring back the Rural Summit after a 16-year absence, we heard from rural residents during the summit that they weren’t aware of the 2020 strategy, or that it was not working as intended.
We worked hard on this Economic Development Rural Plan to build on what we had done right and adjust what we needed to adjust.
As part of this report, I moved a motion to begin the process for City staff to undertake an analysis of the parking situation in the Village of Carp, and to undertake a review of potential properties within the Village of Carp that may be suitable for acquisition, lease, partnership, or other municipal use for the purpose of providing additional public parking to support local businesses and visitors based on the findings of the above review.
This was a key take away from the Town Hall I held in Carp last fall. Parking in the village is an issue and has been for a long time. Today we took a step forward in addressing it.
You can view the motion and the Economic Development Rural Plan here:
Motion NO ARAC 2026 35-03
Moved by Vice-Chair C. Kelly:
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s rural villages, including the Village of Carp, serve as important economic, cultural, and social hubs that support local businesses, tourism, and community identity; and
WHEREAS retail and service businesses form the backbone of rural village economies and rely on accessible infrastructure, including adequate parking, to attract customers, support employment, and sustain local economic activity; and
WHEREAS consultation undertaken through the 2024 Ottawa Rural Summit and the Rural Economic Development Plan identified infrastructure, transportation, and parking capacity in village cores as key constraints to economic growth and barriers to business viability; and
WHEREAS stakeholders specifically identified the need for additional municipal parking and improved visitor infrastructure in rural villages to support tourism, local spending, and business success; and
WHEREAS the Rural Economic Development Plan emphasizes the importance of integrating rural economic considerations into City decision-making, including infrastructure investments such as transportation and parking that support and strengthen the rural economy; and
WHEREAS the Plan also identifies the importance of coordinated, place based economic development and investments in village infrastructure to sustain and grow rural economies; and
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa Official Plan directs growth to rural villages as focal points for economic activity, service delivery, and community life, and supports investments in public realm and infrastructure that enhance the viability and attractiveness of these areas; and
WHEREAS improving access to businesses in village cores aligns with Council’s priorities to support a diversified and prosperous economy and to strengthen rural economic resilience;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Council direct staff in Public Works with support from Economic Development and the Rural Affairs Office, to undertake an assessment of current and projected parking demand within the Carp village core;
2. Council direct staff in Real Estate Services with support from Economic Development, the Rural Affairs Office and Public Works to undertake a review of potential properties within the Village of Carp that may be suitable for acquisition, lease, partnership, or other municipal use for the purpose of providing additional public parking to support local businesses and visitors based on the findings of the above review; and
3. That this review include:
• identification and evaluation of candidate properties, including municipally owned lands and privately held sites;
• consideration of opportunities for partnership with local organizations, business associations, or other levels of government;
• high-level costing, feasibility, and potential funding sources, including alignment with provincial and federal rural economic development programs;
4. That staff report back to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Council with findings and recommendations, including potential next steps and implementation options.
