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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-03-06, Page 10Wednesday, March 6, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 9 Bluewater agricultural BR and E suggests five points of action Melissa Murray QMI Agency Cutting red tape for pro- ducers, rebuilding the local food chain and linking agri- cultural products to tourism events were three of the sug- estions that came out of Bluewater's agricultural BR and l: survey. Twenty-five businesses were interviewed over the last two months and the find- ings were presented in two public meetings on Feb. 28, in Hayfield and Zurich. The businesses that were being focused on were those providing further processing post harvest. Out of the survey, came five suggestions that will help local agriculture producers survive and thrive, explained Mark Cassidy, Bluewater's economic development officer. They included the need for improved marketing of local food, rebuilding the value chain for value-added farm products, increasing partici- pation in culinary tourism events and activities, provid- ing support for regulatory navigation and implement- ing a business and product improvement survey. Cassidy is hoping to engage more local food champions in order to implement and encourage the suggested actions. "'There is a lot of untapped potential in Bluewater in the value added sector," said Cas- sidy at the Bayfield meeting. Cassidy said the value chain was dismantled when governments promoted a "grow big" mentality, now he said, it's time to reverse that and rebuild by re -encourag- ing local processors in i luron County. "Not only will it encourage buying local, but it creates jobs and is an outlet for pro- ducers to use," he said. Cas- sidy suggested some business ideas to boost local process- ing could include providing cold storage, vacuum pack- aging and flash freezing. Should the local food act be brought back to the pro- vincial table, that act would ease the way for private sec- tor businesses to access local food, like the Bluewater Rest 1 Tonle. Right now, the facility uses a large North American chain as their supplier, but Cassidy said the local food act and local food champions could convince there to bring in local food, a trend that is already apparent in restau- rants across the county. "Every restaurant worth its salt is getting local food because that is what the con- sumer wants," said Bluewater Councillor and chair of the 13R and E Paul Klopp. Cassidy also suggested producers could create an experience around their product, like a maple syrup festival with wagon rides or syrup on the snow. "These are the things that tourists pay extra for and the things grocery stores can't offer," he said. The events also increase name recognition and introduce local produc- ers to a larger market. During the survey process, Gays (:reutzberg, the HR and E surveyor said, "it has been very interesting to hear what these businesses have to say." "Everyone has been open and tvelconning to contributing their comments. 'These are passionate people, but that's not to say that it has all been good news," she said. The survey shows the attitudes around the business climate in Bluewater has become slightly more negative Over the past three years with 73 per cent viewing the business climate positively down from 76. Businesses also identified the availability of skilled labour and the approval processes of local government to be the major barriers preventing expansion. Hensall chooses parkette and the town hall upper room from BR and E recommendations Melissa Murray QMI Agency A working group has cho- sen two priority projects for the village of Ilensall out of the suggestions presented in 1lensall's Business Retention and Expansion report. The two projects, creating a parkette at 126 King Street and working on renovations to the upper room at the Ilensall town hall, were the two areas the group wanted to focus on first. The parkette would be a collaborative project using the help of Bluewater Blooms and the Ilensall Horticul- tural society, explained Blue - water economic develop- ment officer Mark Cassidy. 'though the design for the park hasn't yet been com- pleted, some of the ideas for it include building a band - shell or gazebo. The project has already received $1,000 from the I luron County eco- nomic development fund to create a landscape design. "We hope to get this underway right away," said Cassidy adding the funeral di It's always y exciting to see new things being built. Getting your hands dirty is a big part of making things happen and that builds excitement and it's infectious." -- Mark Cassidy home that fills part of the space will be demolished this spring and shovels should be in the ground soon after the area is cleaned up. The total park area will he approximately 75 feet by 140 feet. As a way of bringing the community together, a con- test will he launched to name the park and Cassidy said the group will be looking for names Of famous commu- nity members or business people to name the park 1 1 after. 'then the most popular name, as voted on by the community would be announced when the par- kette is opened in the fall. The second project the group is focusing on is the restoration of the upper room at I lensall's town hall. The concert space and audi- torium has been empty since the 60s and the group is look- ing to apply for a legacy grant to help them with their chal- lenges to slaking the space a multiuse facility. "We have our challenges with heat and hydro," said Cassidy, adding the biggest expense will he snaking the space accessible. by adding an elevator. With the town hall's 100th anniversary next year, it's the perfect time to apply for the legacy grant, which gives money to communities and projects at the time of a sig- nificant anniversary. "Both of the projects 1 like to put in the context of downtown revitalization. Their development is paral- lel to what is happening in Zurich," said Cassidy. Zurich, like Ilensall is working on choosing two priorities out of the 1311 and E and will also have a new library built this year. Some of the projects being considered include a facade incentive program and a spe- cial economic development plan specific to Zurich. The group has also talked about capitalizing on the history of the "Mess" (:lock built by George Hess, a noted Swiss clock smith, at St. Peters Lutheran Church. "There is interest in mak- ing that into more of a tour- ism event," said Cassidy, adding the priorities of Zurich should he known by the end of the month. "'The folks ‘vorking in both communities because of thele, people will rally around the projects. lin optimistic in both communi- ties people will get involved and take pride in the devel- opment of the projects," said Cassidy. "It's always exciting to see new things being built. Get- ting your hands dirty is a gig part of slaking things hap- pen and that builds excite- ment and it's infectious," he said. kNiBTON SI1OR1 5 1Z1:"I'IIZI \ ('1;N4 1241 St I II)ItiFI) 1. \I I'S kits .kSS1ST1.11) .kI.I, IN('t,l'ti1�.I�.IZ.� l l:til' NZ I'IN(� .�'I' +1i5OO:OO P/NI �� �� NIA 'miull1' \l.i10 I c.t:ltc..c1)n1 11111 i1111c.(