Running a business can be challenging. Running a business in a small town with a seasonal economy even more so.<\/p>\n
To help local businesses thrive, the Town of Huntsville\u2019s Economic Development Advisory Committee is embarking on a new process to first identify and then help to solve some of the Huntsville business community\u2019s most pressing issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe committee feels it\u2019s important that as the Town goes through its strategic planning process, we need to determine what we can do to improve the local economy and business climate,\u201d said Scott Ovell, Community Development Officer for the Town of Huntsville.<\/p>\n
So they reached out to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), which has a program that helps communities undertake a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Project. OMAFRA calls the program \u201ca structured action-oriented, community-based approach to business and economic development. It promotes job growth by helping communities learn about issues as well as opportunities for local businesses and sets priorities for initiatives to address their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
A working group, which will be presented at the next Council meeting for approval, will launch an information-gathering project in early April.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough OMAFRA, we have created a survey which the working group will use to interview business owners in Huntsville,\u201d said Ovell. \u201cThat information will be analyzed and translated into an action plan which identifies the projects and initiatives that the municipality and its partners, like Muskoka Futures, the Muskoka Small Business Centre, the BIA, the Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA, can address.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal of the project, said Ovell, is to get a solid understanding of the current economic climate in Huntsville. What are some of the issues that our business community is facing? And what can the municipality and its partners be doing to improve and strengthen the business community and economy so we have a more vibrant community?<\/p>\n
The working group will begin contacting business owners in April, but any who want to participate are welcome to contact Ovell directly.<\/p>\n
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