At Arnprior’s (recent) Municipal Meeting (March 25th), Marketing and Economic Development Officer Lindsay Wilson gave elected reps a walk-through of some stand-by staples.
She said an expressed aspect of “Shop Local” is the Town’s “Live Love Local” gift card program, which is on the rebound.
In 2023 there were a total of 542 Live, Love Local cards submitted to the monthly draw- which is equivalent to 5,420 local purchases.
Lindsay says the downtown Sunday Market remains successful, drawing between 900 and 1000 shoppers weekly, 23 % of whom are visitors to the community.
The Town assists businesses with Community Improvement Grants for facade and other appearance upgrades annually.
Wilson says Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program is funding half the cost of an online business retention survey, currently underway.
By Rick Stow
