The township?s newest committee held its first meeting on Jan. 17 and council approved its first recommendation on Jan. 24.
That recommendation was to erect an industrial park sign and to offer space on it to businesses in the park.
Among the first orders of business was to elect a chairman. Liz Samis was chosen unanimously.
The group then heard a presentation from township chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon about projects for economic development that are completed or already underway. Those include a first impressions exchange exercise with Deseronto, an update on downtown revitalization and agriculture tourism.
The committee also heard about a buy local campaign, a farmers? market and Harvest Festival, the county?s festival and events guide, the county economic development group, the township?s 25 acres of industrial land (purchased in 2011) and how to market and service it, lagoon upgrades that could determine the extent of servicing available and a new website at the township that was to be operational last week.
Committee members then considered such things as:
– business retention;
– a business survey;
– exploration of sectors of manufacturing, construction and retail businesses;
– a municipal cultural plan that includes a coalition of provincial government agencies, municipalities, cultural services organizations and post-secondary institutions;
– issues such as public art and urban design, youth engagement, immigration and diversity, and building healthy neighbourhoods;
– a branding exercise;
– mentoring businesses about zoning rules to make applications a positive experience;
– beautification in other urban areas;
– promotion of agricultural tourism;
– partnering with other municipalities for such things as radio advertising; and
– ?Minto bucks,? where Mapleton could partner with other municipalities or on its own.
The committee also agreed to invite a representative from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture to a meeting to discuss programs. It will also invite a presentation from Jana Reichert of the Waterloo Wellington Community Futures Development Corporation to discuss its role in economic development and how that group supports business locally.
The committee will also review the township?s strategic plan for economic development with a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) meeting.
