As a financial supporter of the strategic plan, Brant Community Futures Development Corporation (now Enterprise Brant) commissioned 3 professors to complete a business plan designed to develop a university for Brantford. The submission of the business plan resulted in the formation of an Education Committee which gradually evolved into the Grand Valley Educational Society (GVES).

As a community-owned, charitable organization incorporated in 1996, the initial objective identified by the GVES was to promote and raise funds to secure a private university. Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo expressed an interest, and on June 29th, 1998, signed a Declaration of Intent (along with the GVES and the City of Brantford) to establish a satellite university in downtown Brantford by the fall of 1999.

Through persistence, drive, determination and vision, a “high performance team” was formed which consisted of the City of Brantford, the Grand Valley Educational Society and Wilfrid Laurier University. The Grand Valley Educational Society was the catalyst that actively sourced community support and secured $2 million to transform the old library on George Street (donated by the City) to house the initial campus of the Laurier Brantford University.

Each stage of the process involved a team comprised of community representatives that recognized the value of post-secondary education…a value that would not only develop our local labour force but would realize substantial economic impact and development city / county wide.

It is impossible to single out any one person, or any specific committee for the prestigious honour of the “one who brought the University to Brantford”. Instead we must consider the substantial amount of hours dedicated by community volunteers; the numerous community donors who contributed financial support; the local agencies and organizations, who are too numerous to mention; the excellent media coverage; and the support received from multiple levels of government. This vision was achieved through the strong belief in a common goal…the opportunity of a better Brantford-Brant.

Today the Grand Valley Educational Society continues to work with the growing number of post-secondary institutions in our communities on new initiatives. As a group of community representatives with diverse backgrounds, we are the catalyst to various post-secondary projects and have remained a constant community voice dedicated to the vision of a better Brantford-Brant.

“Anyone can see what was, is, or has been; it takes a true leader to see what can be.” We are fortunate that Brantford-Brant is unique in the sheer number of leaders who are willing to dedicate their time and energy to our communities.