Community economic development (CED) is action taken by people within a specific geographic community or group of communities to create local economic opportunities and improve quality of life. CED recognizes that local challenges and opportunities are as varied as the individual communities themselves. By using knowledge and resources resident in the community, CED identifies and capitalizes on local opportunities to stimulate economic growth and employment.

This page offers links and downloads to various resources, tools and techniques used by CED practitioners. A number of useful templates and best practices are provided for your use.


  • Geographic Information and Mapping Systems:


    •   Bruce County Map Factory   County of Bruce   County of Grey
  • Rural Tackle Box

    • The Rural Tackle Box provides practical tools and information to help rural clients influence and develop policy that contributes to the health and sustainability of their communities.
  • REDDI - Links to Economic Development Resources

    • Economic development colleagues from Ontario and other jurisdictions are doing exceptional work in developing resources, tools and programs, which support economic development. A wealth of information can be found on a wide range of websites. The following list represents select sites with valuable general, economic and business development information and resources. Additional website references can also be found in other topical specific sections throughout the website.
  • CED handbook

    • This handbook has been created by the Labour Market Learning and Development Unit at Service Canada to support the understanding and effective application of community development. Community development is one of several vital tools used in the building of the capacity in communities across Canada.

    This introductory handbook is not designed to be a textbook for practitioners, but as an introductory guide to community development and capacity building.