It’s been a busy year for economic development according to the town’s business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham.
“While it is nice to look ahead, it’s good to look back and see what you’ve accomplished over the past year in economic development and tourism.”
Wick-Graham gave a recap of the highlights.
She noted the early one in February was the town winning a local economies in transition award for investment readiness and outstanding response to an investment inquiry. She also said that town’s listing of industrial land on the web, which has had over 1,100 hits “from people from around the world checking out our industrial land.”
Wick-Graham added that the Canadian Redneck Games again won top honours for community involvement with a top 100 Festivals awards.
In April, the downtown revitalization committees took part in a 20-minute makeover challenge.
The town also participated in the South Western Ontario Creative Economies Study. She noted only Minto and Centre Wellington were the only local participants in the study. Wick-Graham also commented on the opening of the Minto Farmers’ Market.
“It was a long time coming.” In July, Summer Sizzle celebrated its ninth year. In August, the town authorized its first facade application grant, for Hearth and Leisure.
Wick-Graham provided before and after photos to illustrate exterior changes to the building. There is a larger window and a commercial door.
She added that owners have additional plans for the building as well.
She said the big News in September, was the township receiving a $406,000 Rural Economic Development grant for local downtown revitalization projects over the next three years. There were also downtown revitalization launch meetings for Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston.
At October’s STARS awards, Minto won five of the six awards. Wick-Graham considered a major move for the municipalities and the County of Wellington was the discussion to create an economic and tourism committee.
“That was a big step forward.” She noted one of its first steps was an application for a grant.
As a result of two grants from the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation and the Waterloo-Wellington Economic Development Corporation, the group received a total of $26,000 to develop a Wellington County festivals and events marketing piece. In that she said, participants in the new committee are working well together.
She said the town has also applied for a Celebrate Ontario grant to enhance the fifth annual Canadian Redneck Games. The intent is to bring in a big name entertainer, stage lighting and sound, and fireworks.
“We really want to make this year’s event bigger and better.”
