Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce won’t be getting as much money for its tourism marketing efforts this year.
As part of the 2017 budget process, the Chamber had requested $8,500 from council.
During its budget meeting Monday, council agreed to give the Chamber its one-third share of that amount–$2,833–as it did last year.
However, while this amount has been matched by the provincial and federal governments in recent years, that funding no longer is accessible.
“Normally, what we do is this is run through Rainy River Future Development [Corp.], through our development grant, to leverage more dollars,” explained treasurer Laurie Lindberg.
“They have been getting $7,500,” she noted. “Last year, we increased that by $1,000 to $8,500 for one year.
“Right now, we no longer have that funding to utilize the federal and provincial portions,” Lindberg added.
“It would be on our dime.”
Mayor Roy Avis said he felt council should contribute the same as last year.
“I don’t think we should add anything to our budget,” he remarked.
“We should decrease with the situation we’ve got going on, rather than adding to.”
Coun. Ken Perry said that with the closure of the tourist information centre here after this summer, he can’t see the sense in spending more money elsewhere on tourism.
“Either we’re going to do it online or we’re not,” he argued.
“We say the world is doing it online. Where are we going with this?
“Close the tourist information bureau and give the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce money to do tourist stuff?” Coun. Perry added.
“It doesn’t make sense to me to go bigger than we were before.”
Meanwhile, council decided to give $500 to the local Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival just as it did last year.
The group had asked for $1,000.
But council did approve $7,500 to the Fun in the Sun committee for the July 1 fireworks display this year.
“It’s our 150th anniversary,” said Coun. Perry. “If you want to put on a show, that’s the year to do it.”
The total expense for fireworks last year was $9,850, which included not only the town’s contribution but donations from local individuals and businesses.
Coun. Doug Kitowski noted Kitowski Trucking donated $1,000 to the fireworks last year–and aims to up that donation.
“It’s our 150th anniversary,” he reasoned, adding that after last year’s impressive display, he heard many positive comments from the public.
Council also will include $19,000 in the budget for “Meals on Wheels” to keep rolling.
“I support that one. They do a lot of good,” Mayor Avis said.
“There’s a lot of shut-in seniors in the community, and I think it’s a good way to spend our money.”
As well, council agreed to give no more to the OFSAA boys’ hockey tournament committee than the $5,000 it already allotted in the 2016 budget.
