Downtown revitalization success ‘a good problem to have’
SOUTH BRUCE – The May 14 meeting of South Bruce council included a report from Rhonda Niesen, economic development officer on a couple of initiatives that have the potential to attract a lot more shoppers to South Bruce – and keep them coming back.
One was the South Bruce shopping spree; the other was the downtown revitalization program.
The latter program has been so successful, in fact, that she recommended investing additional funds into it this year.
The business improvement program was initially endorsed by council in 2021 as part of the Village Revival Initiative, and was successful from its inception.
In 2021, five applicants received $7,347. In 2022, eight applicants received $12,825. In 2023, it was four and $10,000.
Niesen told council the 2024 intake began with the provison that when the funds were depleted, the grant would no longer be available. Uptake was quick, she said, with nine applications, six of which have been approved and one with approval pending. Two others are looking to apply, she said. However, the $15,000 for this year’s program has already been allocated.
Niesen explained that South Bruce has more eligible businesses because of the expansion of the Community Improvement Plan areas and updated brand and façade guidelines. She requested an additional $7,500, which would provide three more grants of $2,500, from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s multi-year resource funding budget.
CAO Leanne Martin said the program has been very successful over the past three years.
“I like this program,” said Coun. Nigel Van Dyk.
Deputy Mayor Mike McDonagh commented, “You created a real good problem.”
The shopping spree proposed by Niesen also builds on past successes.
She told council that 2024 marks a milestone 25 years of amalgamation for the municipality. This type of local shopping initiative has proved successful in both Mildmay and Teeswater, and now Niesen has proposed a South Bruce version.
As proposed, it would start in June and run until Aug. 31. Niesen stated in her report to council, “We have a lot of tourists that drive through our community on the way to the beach. Let’s give them a reason to stop and stay for a few hours and benefit our downtowns economically.”
Spending a minimum of $25 at a shopping location in Mildmay, Teeswater or Formosa would earn the shopper one sticker. Ten stickers would complete one card, allowing the shopper to enter a draw for the chance to win one of two gift prizes valued at $250 each.
Each retail business will be provided with a shopping spree package that includes rules, passports and stickers. Completed cards can be dropped off at the municipal office or the drop box inside the Mac’s in Mildmay.
The draw takes place the week of Sept. 1.
Pauline Kerr, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Walkerton Herald Times
