MAPLETON – A total of $30,000 was disbursed through Mapleton Township’s Community Improvement Program in 2023, resulting in about $268,000 in investments from the local business community.
The figures were provided as part of a year-end review from the Mapleton economic development department presented at the Feb. 13 council meeting.
Recreation manager Amy Grose noted council approved additional funding for the program in 2023 “and we were able to grant $30,000 in funding specifically from Mapleton.
“We will be looking forward to launching some new projects this year,” she added.
A staff report notes township social media channels have experienced some growth.
Mapleton’s Facebook page gained 155 followers to total 1,941, while the township’s Instagram and Twitter accounts gained 78 and 21 followers respectively.
“It was great to see that we have had some gains and we’re pretty excited. It’s definitely going to be a goal to continue that this year, with more engagement online in different areas,” Grose commented.
A revamped community handbook was published last year, with the next updated edition set to come out in 2025.
Handbooks were distributed throughout the community with the Wellington Advertiser. They can be found at local businesses and will be available at community events. A digital version can be found on the township’s website, the report points out.
Grose noted the township had a presence at the 2023 Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show.
“We’ll be looking forward to doing the same thing this year with the upcoming farm show,” she said.
A program of educational visits to local businesses saw council visit seven businesses in 2023, including: Kraemer Kitchens, Wallenstein Feed and Supply, Tullamore Lavender, Mapleton Acres, Darling Ingredients and a net zero home built by Duimering Homes.
Grose said the program will continue in 2024.
“There are a few businesses that have reached out and are excited to have council come and see what they have to offer in the community,” she explained.
The Mapleton Farmers Market was moved to the local fairgrounds. The staff report indicates the market attracted 19 different vendors, with an average of 10 vendors on hand for each event.
“We’re looking at what the farmers market will look like this year,” including ways to increase attendance, said Grose.
The staff report indicates local businesses received support through the Digital Service Squad program, with nine businesses accessing funds through the Digital Transformation program.
The economic development department worked with recreation staff and Mapleton Fire Rescue to present a Canada Day celebration in the township on July 1.
“Canada Day prep is already happening for this year. We will be looking at having fireworks again, as well as bouncy castles and all of the events that happened at the fairgrounds,” said Grose. “We’ve been able to secure some live music as well, so we’re pretty excited about what Canada Day will look like this year.”
Grose told council a newcomers reception hosted by the township in 2023 was well attended, with over 20 newcomers coming out to the event to learn about services and service groups in the community.
“Culture Days were great throughout the community. Many of our businesses and community members came forward and were involved in Culture Days, as well as many departments within Mapleton,” Grose noted.
A photo contest hosted by the township last year drew 86 entries in three categories:
– Live and Work in Mapleton;
– My Life in Mapleton; and
– Sport and Recreation in Mapleton.
Three winners in each category shared $525 in gift certificates to local businesses.
“Photo contests are always fun,” said Grose, adding the entries also provide the township with “great photos” for promotional use.
Councillor Marlene Ottens asked if the newcomers reception could be expanded for a broader attendance.
“I know it’s come up in the past that some people have said that they’re not newcomers, but they would have liked to attend something like that,” said Ottens. “Or that the groups would like to see it open more to the general public because, whether you are a service club a church, a sports group, they would love to advertise themselves to the broader community, not just the new people.”
She continued, “People who have lived here 10, 20 years, who might now be ready to join a service club or something, might not know what’s out there. Is there an opportunity to have something like that for the general public?”
“We have been having some very preliminary conversations about something like this,” Grose replied.
“Our community groups, our user groups, are they looking for volunteers? Could we host some sort of an event like that? So it is definitely something that I believe would be beneficial. So we would look into that for sure.”
Council received the report as information.
