Staff
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is asking to be included in the town’s budget again this year.
The Chamber is asking the town for $8,500—the same amount it was granted in 2016—for tourism advertising.
This was a $1,000 increase from 2015.
In a letter received by council at its regular meeting last night, past Chamber president Jennifer Greenhalgh noted the Chamber deals with an increasingly large number of telephone, electronic, and walk-in tourism enquiries from the U.S., Canada, and all over the world.
“This is due to the fact that in many cities and countries, the Chambers of Commerce and tourism offices are often co-located and work in partnership with each other,” Greenhalgh noted.
“This is evident when we assist with tourism enquiries from the United States.
“Many travellers from the U.S. who wish to make advance plans throughout the year, and who are in search of local information prior to coming to the area, assume that the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce offers the same service,” added Greenhalgh.
“Their first call is therefore often to the Fort Frances Chamber.”
The Chamber provides information regarding local businesses, resorts, and services year-roud, and “imparts a great deal of local knowledge,” Greenhalgh noted.
“Chamber employees give tourists a reason to stay and discover Fort Frances.
“The number of tourism enquiries the Chamber has received over the last couple of years has been very high and with the lower loonie, we can expect a growth in tourism contacts again [in 2017],” she added.
Council referred the Chamber’s request for funding support to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation.
Also at last night’s meeting, council passed a bylaw to provide for an interim tax levy in the year 2017, and to provide for penalty and interest to be charged on the unpaid balance for late payment of said interim taxes.
Interim tax bills will be mailed out shortly.
Half of the levy will be due and payable by Feb. 28, with the balance due by March 31.
Council also passed a bylaw authorizing the borrowing of money ($4 million) to meet current expenditures.
This is standard annual procedure until tax revenues are collected.
As well, council last night passed a bylaw to approve an agreement for financing under the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program.
This is so the town once again can receive annual funding up to $68,916 to subsidize handi-van and dial-a-ride services here.
