When Tyler Peacock reflects on his role as Economic Development Manager for the City of Dryden, he views it as more than a traditional government position. Drawing on his background in sales, business leadership, and high-pressure corporate environments, he approaches municipal economic development with a results-driven mindset. With support from FedNor, that approach has been instrumental in driving Dryden’s growth in recent years.
Peacock’s journey with the City began in 2018, when FedNor provided funding through its Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO) program to support the hiring of an Economic Development Officer. The City had applied for a three-year contribution to add dedicated capacity to its economic development team. Peacock jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve lived in Northern Ontario my whole life, worked in challenging business environments, and even done university recruitment in Thunder Bay,” Peacock says. “So when the opportunity came up again, it felt like a great fit.”
The initial three-year funding was followed by a one-year extension in 2021 at the same support level, with reduced funding in subsequent years. That early FedNor investment was critical for Dryden, enabling the municipality to undertake projects and initiatives that otherwise might not have happened.
Building the Foundation for Growth
Once in the role, Peacock quickly got to work on what would become a defining early project: a rebrand of the City of Dryden in 2019. This effort coincided with the creation of a new Community Improvement Plan and a refreshed Strategic Plan–two guiding documents that have been central to Dryden’s planning and development over the past eight years.
“It took time to bring those projects to fruition,” Peacock explains. “But they’ve really provided the framework for how we position ourselves and make decisions as a municipality.”
Now managing both economic development and tourism for the City, Peacock oversees a large and diverse portfolio. From investment attraction to community revitalization, his work touches many sectors. He emphasizes that the CIINO funding didn’t just create a job–it built lasting capacity. “FedNor helped give us the ability to focus on priorities and actually execute them,” he says.
Economic Development as Relationship-Building
Peacock’s sales background has shaped his approach to the role. In his eyes, economic development is all about relationships, whether it’s convincing a business to invest, engaging local entrepreneurs, or promoting the community to visitors.
“Every conversation is an opportunity to sell Dryden,” he says. “The product just happens to be the community itself–its location, its workforce, its lifestyle, and its potential.”
That mindset has helped Dryden make steady progress in attracting investment and improving its community amenities. Peacock points to the rebranding and strategic planning work as a key step in ensuring the city is “investment-ready,” and to building the kind of cohesive image that resonates with businesses and residents alike.
Long-Term Impact of FedNor Support
Even after FedNor’s direct funding ended, the benefits have continued to ripple out. The position that began as a CIINO -supported hire is now a permanent leadership role overseeing both economic development and tourism, a testament to the value it has brought to the municipality.
Looking back, Peacock says the program made a real difference. “It’s a good program. It allows municipalities to take on projects they wouldn’t otherwise have the capacity to do. That early investment has paid off in the work we’ve done since.”
From strategic planning to branding, from business attraction to tourism promotion, Peacock’s work continues to help Dryden chart its path forward. And while the sales pitch might be different from his days in the corporate world, the goal remains the same: make the case for why this is the right place to invest, live, and thrive.
“Economic development isn’t about quick wins,” he says. “It’s about building relationships, setting the stage, and making sure your community is ready when opportunities come.”
With a solid foundation in place, a clear vision, and the drive to see it through, Dryden is well-positioned to keep selling its future–one opportunity at a time.