FORT FRANCES—Anticipating another busy year ahead promoting Fort Frances and its business community, the local Chamber of Commerce is requesting $7,500 as its fee-for-service in the 2007 municipal budget.
“The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce continues to focus direction on promoting Fort Frances and its business community through increased marketing initiatives and direct involvement in the redevelopment of the downtown core area and the future expansion of the business sector,” Chamber president Christine Denby told council Monday night.
“In order to be effective, the Chamber of Commerce has to be the voice of the business community on issues that directly impact the present and future business atmosphere in Fort Frances and the surrounding area,” she added.
Denby noted 2006 saw increased marketing activity in several key areas.
For instance, advertising in regional brochures and magazines, including Discover Fort Frances, Sunset Country Travel Guide, and the Border Water Visitor’s Guide, reached thousands of potential tourists to the area.
As well, the Chamber, with the help of the Fort Frances Times Electronic Publishing division, also continues to maintain a website (www.fortfranceschamber.com) that includes a variety of tourist-related information.
“Most tourists consider the Chamber of Commerce as the first and perhaps the only organization to for information on the area,” said Denby. “As a result, our office received thousands of requests for information—e-mails, phone calls, and visitors.
Denby noted hundreds of tourist packages were mailed out across Canada and the United States to visitors looking for detailed information on the area.
“The remainder of the inquires received information via e-mail, the website, in person, or over the telephone,” she added. “These efforts, which benefit the entire community, are valuable and necessary.”
Aside from the fee-for-service, Denby noted other items the town should consider funding in its 2007 budget include:
•continued investment in “Project Petunia” through the watering of flower baskets as required;
•economic development funding in the amount of $5,000, as requested by the Chamber of Commerce directly to the town’s economic development advisory committee, to support the business retention and expansion project;
•continued support and financial commitment to projects identified in the downtown core committee report; and
•funding to initiate “the much-needed ‘red tape’ commission.”
Mayor Roy Avis asked Denby to arrange a future presentation on the “red tape commission,” noting it’s been several years since the Chamber brought this idea forward and so it would be helpful to explain it to the new members of council.
Council referred Denby’s requests to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation, with input from the other executive committees as well as the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
