Planning for the future

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Earlier this year, Strathmore’s Strategic Economic Development Priorities and Implementation report was released with advice on ways to grow as a town, bring new community growth, both commercially and residentially, and assist existing businesses and residents.
Through meetings with business owners, town administration and council, 45 initiatives were developed – two of which were vetoed with people being strongly opposed.
“It’s quite interesting that some of the items that council picked as priorities, the business people picked as priorities as well,” said Chief Administrative Officer for Strathmore Dwight Stanford.
One example he gave was lots of discussion on having an incubator in the community. An incubator is a space set up with either small offices or dividers that different individuals can rent.
Stanford said it’s important that the rent is reasonable, and some areas could be a little bigger and allow artists to create, or sell, their work.
“We all think, and I do too, that it would be very, very beneficial,” said Stanford. “People that are working out of their basements, or a room in their house, could get out of the house. They could go to their office and they could do their work there, get some help in the front when they need it.”
Incubators provide small business owners and entrepreneurs a chance to get their businesses off the ground with minimal risk, and low overhead costs.
Increasing economic development capacity was also high on the list in the report, with a business investment attraction program suggested.
Another initiative that both sides agreed with was the need to continue, and accelerate, the revitalization of downtown. The report states that specific tactics have been suggested including re-evaluating and initiating a Downtown Business Association and rejuvenating/revitalizing the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce. Researching each of the initiatives outlined is the first step before beginning the implementation stage. More information about the report, and the town’s plans can be found at http://strathmore.ca/economic_development.