Business retention, expansion project proposed for Emo

EMO—Kerri Dittaro, community development officer for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, presented information on a Business Retention and Expansion project to members of the Emo Chamber of Commerce there Monday night.
With the Town of Fort Frances already on board, Dittaro said they are hoping both Emo and Rainy River will join to make the project a district-wide one.
“Business retention and expansion is a community-based economic development strategy with a focus on taking care of, nurturing, and supporting businesses already existing in the community,” Dittaro indicated.
She noted a similar project was completed in 2002.
“But a lot can happen in the business sector in five years,” she stressed, adding the first step—conducting surveys with business owners—was done in Emo back then but nothing came from them.
“This time, we want to go further with it,” she said.
The structured business survey would be used to begin a dialogue with local businesses in order to identify issues, concerns, and potential opportunities—and taking action where appropriate.
Dittaro explained the project would encompass short-term objectives, such as improving communication between the community and local business, and long-term objectives, like increasing the competitiveness of local businesses.
She said business retention and expansion is crucial to sustaining viability in the community.
“Evidence has shown that the majority of new jobs created come from existing businesses,” she noted.
“So the bottom line is communities interested in economic development cannot afford not to be involved in taking care of their existing business sector,” Dittaro stressed.
“Businesses and communities benefit from such a strategy.”
Dittaro specified a task force and resource network would be developed to carry out the project, and requested $500 from the Emo Chamber to cover the related costs for her to assist the community in the effort.
Several members of the Emo Chamber inquired whether the Township of Emo had been approached to become involved in the project.
“When we form the committee, that’s when we get the town on board,” Dittaro replied. “And you’re going to need the [municipality] on board to have the action plan followed through.”
“I’d like to see the town take the initiative,” noted Emo Chamber president Colleen Vennechenko. “We’ll have to talk to them because that’s a lot of money for our chamber to pay—we don’t have a big budget.”
The Emo Chamber was asked to make a decision on whether to participate in the BR&E project by Jan. 31.
Also at Monday night’s Emo Chamber of Commerce meeting, members:
•discussed the success of “Holly Daze” and made suggestions for next year;
•nominated Cheryl Curtis, Marlene McQuaker, Arnold Kaemingh, Tom Jackson, Dale Hartlin, and Dave Goodman for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards; and
•determined the dates for this year’s annual events, including ”Spring Fever Days” (April 19-21) and “Holly Daze” (Nov. 30-Dec. 1).
The next meeting of the Emo Chamber of Commerce is slated for Monday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Emo Inn.