Village Squire, 1975-02, Page 14materials leads to sand and gravel mining in
non -urban areas. Facilities to generate
electricity are usually located in rural areas so
the city use of electricity again demonstrates
the complementary relationship of city and
country economies. Electric installation
obviously requires rural -based construction
equipment, dealers to sell them and crews to
man them.
SELF DEVELOPMENT NEEDED
"What is needed is that small towns
undertake development programs to save
themselves as prosperous; small communi-
ties. New industry can be started by local
people utilizing both their talents and
investment capital. If development corpora-
tions were established (perhaps with tax
concessions or matching debt money
provided by provincial authorities), new
enterprises could be launched more easily.
• "Too often, investment funds are
channelled to urban areas because those with
capital in small towns lack an adequate
mechanism for reinvesting their savings
locally.
"Provincial governments should improve
transportation facilities to and from rural
areas, a vital ingredient in their continuing
economic success.
"Also, retail distribution, particularly of
farm products, has become adsurdly
expensive and wasteful. Co-operatives and
rationalization of distribution is necessary
now. This is an activity that can be developed
locally and governments can assist here in
formation of co-operatives to handle some of
these middleman's functions.
"If the small towns were to show more
initiative, they could compel provincial
governments to sit up and take notice. It is
interesting to note than an increasing
proportion of the population of Canada seems
to ignore the false, conventional wisdom that
the small towns are "going, going, gone".
"Now, if small towns can demonstrate
renewed •economic vigor, an even larger
segment of the Canadian population will find
that the good life and life in the small town
can be synonymous."
Mr. Whitestone has brought forth the idea
that even without government consideration
for the small town in this area of the province,
the people in these towns and villages might
help themselves. They can be more agressive
in their attack on the industrial community.
When you have an Industrial Corporation
with stocks sold to the residents of your town
you tend to treat the acquisition of industry in
your town as a business. The Industrial
Committee of Town Council does not or
cannot treat each case the same as a
Development Corporation.
What I am suggesting is that each town
treat the acquisition of industry as a business.
Should an energetic Board of Directors of an
Industrial Development Corporation of your
town sell shares I feel that many local citizens
of your town and the farming community
around it would invest in the future of the
Town. You could then set up an Industrial
Park and probably a modern building with
rental space for prospects. The person who is
looking to locate in your town wants his space
now. He does not want to go through the
waiting and work of constructing until he
knows he likes your area.
Cheese available in all your
favourite outlets:
• Nova Colby • Nippican, With Wine
• Headwater, Mild • Hearts
• Millbank, Med. • Specialties, Made to order
• Millbank, Old cheese plates, home cooked
• Stratford, Mellow & Sharp meats.
GIFT PACKS MAILED ANYWHERE
Roast Beef, Turkey or Ham
delivered ready to serve
to catering groups
THE CHEESE HOUSE
P.O. Box 111
423 Erie Street, Stratford, Ontario
Telephone 271-3160
12, VILLAGE SQUIRE/FEBRUARY 1975
In conclusion, I hope I am able to bring to
your attention, the point that is always being
made to me. What are you prepared to put up
in hard cash? If you, in your town, wish to
remain a viable community then you must be
prepared to plan and to put up the cash. The
methods can be worked out but there must be
the desire to look 20 years ahead and decide
now. Land planning is only the first step in
Development Planning for your community.
The fit
never quit.
PiInciwcrian
Fitness. in uur hcan nu koon it'. right.
Electric Motor
Sales & Service
• Rewind facilities for fractional
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• Pick-up service, if required, at
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Henning Electric
Motor Sales &
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473 Douro Street
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for fast,