HARRISTON – The Town of Minto and the Minto Chamber of Commerce Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) project officially starts this week as staff members aim to meet with at least 75 local businesses to identify their needs and concerns, ask their opinions about government, and determine in what ways the local business climate can be improved.
“The visits we are doing with local businesses have four purposes,” said Belinda Wick-Graham, director of economic and community development with the Town of Minto.
“First, we want to show our local businesses that we really appreciate the contributions they are making to our local community. Second, we want to see if they have any concerns, and, if so, if there are ways we can help. Third, we will be offering to help our local businesses take better advantage of business resources. Finally, we want the businesses to help us set priorities on future directions of local economic efforts.”
Wick-Graham added, “The heart of the Business Retention and Expansion Project lies in the survey interviews – they’re our chance to hear directly from local businesses about their challenges, goals, and opportunities. These conversations are essential to identifying what’s working, where support is needed, and how we can help foster a stronger, more resilient economy.
“The success of this project depends on the active participation of our business community, and we’re encouraging everyone to take part. Your input helps shape future policies, programs, and investments that benefit the entire town.”
BRE has been implemented in hundreds of rural and urban communities across Canada.
This is the Town of Minto’s fifth BRE project in 20 years. Officials say the results of previous projects have been “impressive: the development of a more business-friendly attitude, new local investment, more jobs, fewer barriers to development and easier access to financing, to name a few.”
For more information or to participate in a BRE survey contact to Wick-Graham at belinda@town.minto.on.ca or call 519-338-2511 ext. 241.
