Denault speaks to the DRBIA | Photo Credit: DRBIA
Back on Tuesday, April 7, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault visited the Downtown Renfrew Business Improvement Area’s (DRBIA) office, alongside Nina Tangri, minister of small business.
According to a press release conversation was focused on the importance of supporting small businesses, enhancing tourism, strengthening partnerships contributing to economic growth as well as highlighting the need for increased access to grants and funding to better support small businesses.
Chair of the DRBIA, Lisa Vincent, said the board appreciates the recognition for North-Eastern Ontario from the provincial government.
Left to right: DRBIA Vice Chair Lorraine Vincent, Director Kinsey Maxwell, Chair Lisa Vincent, MPP Billy Denault, Minister Nina Tangri, DRBIA Director Ben Oakes, Treasurer Mel Blimkie and Coordinator Wanda Brydges Kennell | Photo Credit: DRBIA
Vincent said a big topic of discussion is increasing tourism in Renfrew and Renfrew County with the rise of interprovincial travel.
As for Renfrew the focus is on its local trail system; with three separate trails snaking through the town it only makes sense for the DRBIA to capture the attention of trail-travelers with the support from Denault.
The DRBIA has been working with Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) and the County to promote downtown Renfrew by installing information signage on these trails.
However, Vincent said the trails are just one piece of the piece of the puzzle.
Another topic of discussion is the 31.25 per cent small business tax cut which the province said will support over 375,000 businesses and individual annual savings of up to $5,000.
Vincent said it’s a nice grant, but only comes into effect for small businesses that are corporations.
Proprietorships on the other hand are not uncommon in Renfrew County, but are not applicable for the tax cut, according to the DRBIA.
According to a 2024 report from Statistics Canada, approximately 98 per cent of Ontarian businesses are registered as a small business; those with less than 100 employees.
That same report states approximately 58.9 per cent of Ontarian businesses have 1-4 employees.
The discussion board also brought on the opportunity for the DRBIA to discuss concerns and challenges in regards to operating a small business in Renfrew.
DRBIA members point to commercial vacancies on main street, which they partly accredit to rising rental costs and a lack of protections for commercial leases compared to residential.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
