The Town of Minto is setting up a task force to implement its Creative Business Incubator project.
Minutes of the Nov. 14 economic development and planning committee (EDPC) indicate business and economic development coordinator Mandy Jones explained there is a need to set up an incubator task force as soon as possible.
The committee discussed the number of members, which could be between six and 10. Four names were presented to be on the task force, including: Mayor George Bridge, business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham, Minto Chamber of Commerce president John Mock and past chamber president Glen Hall.
Jones and Minto treasurer Gordon Duff will be involved as resource people. Jones is following up with a few other people to see if they are interested in being on the task force. The first meeting was set to take place in late November and the second meeting for the first week of December.
Chamber update
Mock provided the EDPC with an update from the Minto Chamber of Commerce, noting that Caitlin Hall, chamber assistant, plans to retire from her position, effective Feb. 3, at the annual general meeting.
Treasurer Mary Lou Colwell is also stepping down from her position after 11 years, but would like to stay on the board as a director in the future.
The board of directors has decided to purchase two new billboards the same size as one promoting the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum on Highway 9.
The new billboards will be updated to include the new chamber logo.
Cultural roundtable
Duff reported the Minto Cultural Roundtable group was successful in its application to the Symposium for the Performing Arts in Rural Communities.
Three committee members, including Bridge, Duff and Nichola McEwan, will attend the conference in April to give a presentation on cultural mapping.
The first of its kind in Canada, the symposium will focus on the business of performing arts in a rural setting, and feature three streams of exploration – creation, production and presentation – across four disciplines of the performing arts: dance, theatre, music and media arts.
Jones explained the committee is looking at hosting a live game of Clue at the Meiklejohn House in February or March.
CAO Bill White suggested the committee look at hosting a Doors Open event under the Doors Open Ontario Banner (http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca).
The event would give residents and visitors the opportunity to see behind the scenes at various local heritage buildings.
Social media
Town of Minto social media activity continues to increase.
Jones reported the numbers are climbing steadily and the Town of Minto Facebook page now has 280 “Likes”; the town has 227 followers on twitter; and the town’s YouTube page, which includes postings of council meeting videos, has been viewed a total of 1,061 times this year.
The Facebook and Twitter numbers have doubled since last year.
