At their last meeting of 2024, Councillors reviewed the latest Economic Snapshot of Prince Edward County.

Compiled and presented by Economic Development Officer Karen Palmer, the report offers a cross-sector look at employment, wage, and population trends over the five years from 2019 to 2024.

“Things across a few indicators look pretty positive,” noted Ms. Palmer. For the first time in decades there is a slight increase in population and the number of businesses across all categories is up. 

Ms. Palmer contextualized some of the findings with help from the County Foundation’s Vital Signs report for 2024. Although wages have generally risen, two key industries are notable exceptions – agriculture and construction. In other cases, “even though they’ve risen, they haven’t kept pace with inflation,” said Ms. Palmer.

In some cases, jobs are being lost even though business is booming. Farm receipts are up 48 percent, but the number of agriculture jobs dropped 7.5 percent. Likewise, jobs in the skilled trades dropped by 19 percent. Ms. Palmer allowed that she found this figure “a bit of a head scratcher,” considering building permits are up. She suggested a larger number of trade workers might be working as independent contractors. 

That explanation is supported by the fact that 71 percent of workers in the County are “solopreneurs”: self-employed and the sole employee of their business. 

The number of arts and culture workers in the county is high – twice the provincial and national average. The sector was hit hard during the pandemic, though, with incomes dropping 30 percent. 

The hospitality sector grew 8 percent during the height of the pandemic. The average annual income for hospitality workers in the County, however, is just $23,000. 

“This is still seasonal, part-time work, and that is just not a living wage,” said Ms. Palmer. 

Manufacturing jobs are up, with wages slightly higher than the national average. In the County, the primary output of this sector is wine, beer, and cider. Yet sales for grape growers are dropping in all potential channels across the province, signalling rough waters could be ahead.

In positive news, Ms. Palmer reported an increase in the number of healthcare jobs, which should only continue to grow with the new Picton Hospital and expanded H.J. McFarland long-term care facility. 

Professional service work has risen, but is still 16 percent below the national average. Ms. Palmer sees room for a recruitment effort, and a closer look at support for remote workers. Fully 2600 people in the County are self-employed and many of those work from home.

In terms of demographic trends, the County continues to see a decrease in youth and adults in their peak earning years of 45 to 59. 

Ms. Palmer noted, “the consultations we’ve been doing around youth have been some of the most worrisome.”

“Lots are saying they don’t see a future here.”

Councillor Brad Nieman asked Ms. Palmer about how to attract larger businesses, those with more than 100 employees. 

“I think until we get a few pieces in place in terms of water infrastructure and other things, that will be a hard sell. It’s knowing who’s looking for those opportunities, and asking ‘do we have the workforce for it?’”

The department presents an Economic Development Action Plan to Council in January 2025.