Duane Hicks
FORT FRANCES—The local Business Improvement Area is moving in new directions to enhance the downtown core of Fort Frances.
BIA chairperson Connie Cuthbertson gave town council an update on its activities and future plans Monday evening, noting the BIA has struck three committees: promotions, finance, and maintenance/beautification.
The promotions committee has worked hard to put together a calendar of events for the entire year to make it easier for businesses to better advertise.
“It’s a new and cost-effective way of putting together some programs,” noted Cuthbertson, adding
businesses have worked together to promote events like “Ladies’ Night” to “tremendous success.”
“By coming together, not only are we saving precious advertising dollars but enjoying getting to know each other by working together in a fun and positive way,” she reasoned.
“This new energy is contagious and will no doubt bring about more positive changes in the future,” Cuthbertson enthused.
With summer coming up, the BIA is looking at having “Market Thursdays,” where they hope to have a farmers’ market in the downtown area, as well as artisans, crafters, and perhaps even buskers.
The maintenance/beautification committee, meanwhile, has come up with a way for businesses to enhance their storefronts with flowers, said Cuthbertson, adding they are working on the details now.
“There are planters that could be left out year-round, decorated with the change of the seasons,” she explained, noting she travels a lot and the places that make her stop, take notice, and shop are the ones that are “interesting to look at.”
Cuthbertson said she would like input from Public Works regarding its plans for the planters, clarifying the BIA is not asking the town to pay for the planters or to water them.
Finally, the finance committee is working very hard and is “committed to trimming various budgets while increasing those that would yield the best results for our programs,” Cuthbertson remarked.
“Many changes have taken place in the business community in recent years and we are faced daily with new challenges,” she admitted.
“But more importantly, I’d like to think of them as more opportunities.
“I really, honestly believe it’s just that simple,” she stressed. “It’s not easy, but it is a simple concept.”
Cuthbertson said the BIA appreciates the assistance and direction council has given them in the past, and she looks to continue to build a good working relationship with the town as they move forwarding, creating a “vibrant and exciting downtown area.”
Coun. Andrew Hallikas noted the Fort Frances Museum is “seeing a bit of a rebirth” with a new “Friends of the Museum” committee and suggested the BIA contact the museum to work together.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
