Peterborough County has just hired two powerhouse women to lead its new efforts for economic growth, community development, and tourism in the region.
In a media release issued on Friday (September 27), the county announced it has appointed Rhonda Keenan as its new general manager of economic development and Sarah Budd as its manager of community development.
The two women will join the county’s existing general manager of tourism and communications Tracie Bertrand to form “a trifecta of excellence,” according to the release.
That claim is not hyperbole, given Keenan’s role as president and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) and Budd’s role as president and CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. Bertrand was previously director of tourism and communications at PKED before becoming Haliburton County’s manager of tourism and then joining Peterborough County last August.
“These faces will be familiar to those in our business community and bring continuity and years of local knowledge and expertise to their roles,” says Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark in the release. “Together, this team will work collaboratively with our townships, First Nations, and the City to ensure that our County businesses are supported — whether through retention, expansion, or bringing new enterprises to our area.”
The county’s hiring of Keenan comes just three months before the dissolution of PKED, after the City of Peterborough decided to withdraw from an agreement to provide funding to the non-profit economic development organization beyond 2024.
PKED had been providing economic development and tourism services on behalf of both the city and county of Peterborough for 25 years. The city’s decision to withdraw from the tri-party agreement and assume responsibility for economic development and tourism itself left the county with little choice but to do the same, as the city provided the majority of the organization’s funding.
From the perspective of economic development, the county’s hiring of Keenan seems a wise strategic decision given her many years of experience leading an organization that promoted economic development and tourism across the region.
“On behalf of the PKED board of directors and our staff and stakeholders, I am very pleased that Rhonda will continue to serve the region and help drive economic development forward in this new role,” says PKED board chair noted Burton Lee.
“It is bittersweet to lose Rhonda while PKED completes its economic development and tourism transition over the coming months, but as PKED president and CEO she has cemented herself as one of the most effective and efficient economic development professionals in Canada and we applaud Peterborough County for giving Rhonda a platform to continue her impactful work,” Lee added
Meanwhile, the City of Peterborough has hired only one of PKED’s 16 employees and has yet to announce several other positions that will lead economic development and tourism beginning in the new year.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Peterborough County team,” Keenan says. “The county has an excellent corporate culture, is poised for growth, and offers the ideal mix of opportunity and lifestyle — the perfect combination for any economic developer. I am excited to get to work with this amazing team and continue to help support sustainable economic growth across Peterborough County.”
On Thursday, the board of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced Budd would be resigning her position as the chamber’s president and CEO after two years effective October 18, with board chair Noah Crowley wishing Budd “continued success in the next chapter of her career.”
“Although I love my position as president and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, I could not pass up the opportunity to join Peterborough County’s new economic development division and to learn and work with the highly respected and successful Rhonda Keenan,” Budd explains in the release.
For her part, Bertrand says “I am truly thrilled to be part of such a dedicated and forward-thinking team and excited to work with Rhonda and Sarah.”
“Working with Peterborough County, its eight townships, and two First Nations has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Bertrand notes. “I look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive positive change and growth in the region. Together, we are making a real impact, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead as we work to strengthen prosperity through tourism and economic development.”
The three women will be based in Peterborough County’s new economic and tourism office, which is located in the former post office at 12 Queen Street in Lakefield. Set to open soon, the office will serve as the central hub in a “hub and spoke” model that will provide services to businesses and residents across the county, including satellite locations in the various townships.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the exceptional team of professionals we’ve engaged to support economic development and tourism in the county, townships, and First Nations.” says Peterborough County CAO Sheridan Graham. “I am thrilled for our businesses, residents, and visitors as we move The Kawarthas forward.”
