Renew program in the works

Economic and business manager Belinda Wick-Graham reported on plans for a Renew Northern Wellington program at the May 5 Minto council meeting.

The program, modeled after Renew New Tecumseh, aims to fill vacant downtown storefronts with start-up businesses.

The Town of Minto and the Township of Mapleton are able to join the Renew Northern Wellington Board for a cost of $500. Wellington North, received Trillium funding for the initiative and paid about $9,000 to purchase program materials and copyright from New Tecumseh.

“We just pay a sub-licensing fee of $500,” Wick Graham explained, noting the program covers some costs, such as hydro and insurance, for startup businesses and “basically makes downtown vacancies look more appealing to take over.”