An effort to give downtown Chesley a boost is getting underway.
Arran-Elderslie council unanimously approved a motion last week from Councillor Darryl Hampton to create a Chesley Community Working Group.
Hampton says “The idea is to create a team to work collaboratively and with the common goal of downtown Chesley beautification and revitalization in mind.”
He adds, “There are currently a bunch of stakeholders that we’re lucky to have in the community that are constantly making improvements. Groups in Chesley such as the horticultural society, kinettes, kinsmen, business owners, some building owners and lots of community members.”
Hampton says the scope of the team would include identifying areas downtown that need improvement.
He says that might include tree replacement, garbage cans or banners. He says it’s also abut identifying locations where space is available to open up businesses and where there are building owners who want to rent those spaces. Hampton says, sometimes the owners don’t want to rent space out.
“Even if they don’t want to, then possibly putting wrap on the windows,” says Hampton. Window wraps are like big posters that cover windows, and could be used to cover up an empty storefront while promoting or beautifying the downtown.
He says another focus for the group would be identifying community businesses that are wanted and potentially recruiting those businesses.
He says “Council, with support from the economic development and communications coordinator being involved to understand what the needs of stakeholders in town are and then bringing forward budget asks in future budgets.
“We completed branding there last year, so it’s supporting downtown by looking for grants and then ensuring the businesses there are aware there’s an opportunity for Spruce the Bruce grants as well.
Spruce the Bruce grants are available through the County and can help businesses with a facade improvements, signage, awnings, patios, accessibility, and marketing among other things. There are also grant opportunities for not-for-profit organizations and municipalities that help with improvements to active transportation and destination infrastructure among other things.
Hampton says the Chesley community working group initiative is in its very early stages, explaining, “We still have to come up with the terms of reference, identify the specific community members that we want to invite and then come up with a formal scope.”
Hampton says there will be opportunities for all who are interested to get involved.
Council recently decided to keep downtown Chesley’s storefront level zoning commercial in the interest of preserving the small business area.
