Baylor key recommendations(File photo)

The students from Baylor University gave a presentation today (Friday) on their key recommendations for the City of North Bay.

The students were focusing on the themes of how the city should sell itself, retain youth, develop jobs and communicate to its residents.

Gordie Braun is one of the students and he says one development they should pursue is building a business hive in the downtown core.

The hive would introduce the concepts of conventions, meetings, shared offices spaces, and collaboration within one building among different organizations.

Braun says the city of Gainesville, Florida implemented this and 780 jobs were created after 10 months.

 Timothy Hutchison who co-launched the project says what Baylor has given the city is a real gift.

He says it’s important to note there are lots of opportunities within these recommendations.

The research found it could take three years to see real growth in terms of jobs or population.

However, they showed the results for Peterborough and Kingston and their actual growth after the third year far exceeded expectations, after they implemented some of what Baylor is recommending.

Baylor key recommendations 2

Mayor Al McDonald says it could take three years to see real growth, but the recommendations can work.

He says there are a lot of reasons for hope and optimism after the Baylor Students unveiled their key recommendations for the city.

Some of the other recommendations included; continuing to revitalize the Downtown Core, have more defined roles within city council and economic development and create more feedback channels for the community.