Residents here plan to have an Doors Open event in 2011.
Minto Clerk/Administrator Marsha Paley provided councillors here with details on Doors Open 2011, explaining it is an event that involves heritage buildings opening their doors to the public.
“These events typically bring in 30% of the people from out of town and can generate as much as $50,000 for some communities,” she said.
Paley added Minto currently does not participate in the program.
Registration is $1,600, and would result in promotion on the Doors Open website, a program and signs for the properties that day.
Paley said Minto could include the event in existing promotional materials.
Business and Economic Manager Belinda Wick-Graham recommended the town budget $2,000 to participate in the program next year.
Council endorsed the move.
Paley explained the program is put on by Ontario Heritage Trust, and gives an opportunity for communities to open the doors of their heritage buildings and facilities. Some of those buildings are typically not open to the public.
“It’s a growing opportunity for economic development and bringing tourism into the community. It is a chance to take part in a program that includes a lot of the Greater Toronto Area communities and municipalities to the north of Minto.
“But we’d be on the edge of those involved in the Saugeen Headwaters area,” Paley said.
She considers it a chance to showcase what Minto has to offer.
Paley said the event can include public and private residences – if owners choose to participate.
Economic representatives
As well, councillors approved the appointment of John Mock as the commercial representative on the economic development and planning committee.
Mock is owner of the Harriston Home Hardware.
In providing an update of the the committee’s recruitment efforts, Business and Economic Manager Belinda Wick-Graham noted there was interest from the agricultural sector as well.
Councillor Rick Hembly, who chairs the committee, said the group is looking for more people representing commercial, industrial, and rural to sit on the committee.
He said there is a couple of others on board whom he hopes will fill the industrial and agricultural positions in the near future.
