Wellington North’s economic development committee picked up some solid public input at an open forum it hosted in its bid to establish a Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
The meeting, held at the Sports complex on June 28, attracted about 30 people – about the same number that attended an earlier open forum in Arthur.
It was chaired by consultant Sean Kelly, of Stempski Kelly Associates Inc., who has been hired by the committee to draft a plan to bolster economic development and attract businesses to Arthur and Mount Forest. The consulting firm works extensively as rural planners and landscape architects.
Kelly credited Wellington North’s business and economic development manager Dale Small and the committee with developing strong working relations with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs which can provide funding for rural development projects.
The consultant said public views and ideas are essential in the initial stage of drafting the plan. He said the plan, based on public input, will eventually identify different areas where economic development measures can be put in place. They may include securing funding for improvements to building facades either from municipal or provincial sources.
According to Kelly, an example of facade improvements can be seen in the Harriston Bakery, where the owners improved a tired exterior with paint and better signs and saw business grow.
Kelly said minor improvements need not cost a lot of money, but can improve a businesses’ bottom line and prompt neighboring businesses to do the same.
“The average cost for building upgrades has only been about $2,200,” he added. “You can do a lot of little things to a building to make it look more favorable.”
He continued, “It [the plan]is a framework for the community. It will stimulate investment in the community.”
The plan, according to Kelly, may also identify other areas outside the business core that could be included in the overall plan, including vacant land.
“This is really about finding the best for Mount Forest,” he told those attending the meeting.
Those attending the meeting were divided into different groups to express their views on the strengths and weaknesses they feel exist in Mount Forest. The observations included the new high school, infrastructure improvements like the new sewage treatment plant, threats to existing business from development taking place outside of the core, strong service clubs, lack of affordable housing.
All the information will be considered during deliberations on a community improvement plan, which is expected out in September. Kelly said he expects once a draft plan is done, more public meetings can be held.
Eventually the plan would require council approval before being implemented.
Mayor Ray Tout called the meeting “a good exercise.”
“I think it’s interesting to know the diversification of ideas to work on in our community,” the mayor said.
“It’s easy to tell people what we don’t have, but we have an awful lot.”
