The tour, undertaken in an effort to explore economic opportunities with businesses in Kings, continued throughout 2015. Brothers said the municipality’s philosophy of being "open for business" was the driving force behind the tour. The objective was the creation of better dialogue with businesses and gaining a better understanding of the business climate.
Twenty-nine visits were made throughout the municipality to businesses large and small involved in various economic sectors.
“We tried to pick a different variety of businesses,” Brothers said. “Each one of the places, we left a survey.”
Business development specialist Mark Strickland attended meetings. Brothers said he would be compiling survey results. Valley Regional Enterprise Network chief executive officer Kelly Ells sometimes participated and area councillors took part in business visits.
Some of the questions asked to operators included: what barriers exist for businesses in Kings County; what can the municipality do to improve the business climate in Kings, what are the major contributors for business success in Kings and if there are specific business needs for the given area where a business is located.
Brothers said the group heard about several issues that are federal and provincial jurisdiction, including the state of roads. One winery operator said businesses are being affected because people wanting to visit are damaging their vehicles.
Brothers said a lack of signage or inconsistent signage and red tape surrounding liquor licencing and other permitting came up. The warden said the municipality is exploring ways to work with other agencies “in a more proactive manner” in terms of issuing various permits.
A lack of hotels came up, as well as suggestions that a tourism strategy and better advertising and marketing of the county would be helpful.
Brothers said people were “very surprised” to see the warden out visiting businesses and there was a sense of appreciation that the tour involved enterprises across the county.
Brothers thanked staff for “playing a key role” and she suggested that any new mayor elected in the future should go out and do a similar tour.
“It’s educational,” Brothers said. “You hear more one-on-one than you would through email or over the telephone.”
Other suggestions included that a map of wine country would be helpful, as county vineyards and wineries are looking to expand.
Businesses would like to be informed of changes to building regulations. Some are challenged to find employees while others are experiencing difficulty accessing financing.
Small businesses contribute more than 30 per cent to Canada’s annual gross domestic product.
Recommendations
- Maintain good relations with wineries, as they’re an economic and tourism driver for the county, and create a county winery map.
- Write a letter to the Department of Transportation explaining the importance of the wine industry to the county and the need for better roads to support growth.
- Better and more consistent signage.
- Create partnerships with companies. Businesses supply the county with valuable information. The municipality, in exchange, can help promote businesses through county marketing, a map with business locations or an online App.
- Create a Kings County App to help people find local small businesses in the area. Many can’t be found on the Internet.
Actions
- Warden Diana Brothers has written a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal regarding the condition of roads leading to area wineries.
- Engineering technologist Tammie Bezanson will examine municipal signage and make signs uniform.
- Business development specialist Mark Strickland will be the contact for building permits and licensing for the wine industry, as he has industry experience. He will forge strategic partnerships between wineries and the municipality and look into helping businesses with financing and employment issues. He’s also working on opportunities to bring an additional hotel to Kings. Strickland has already addresses many desires with individual businesses.
- Chief administrative officer Tom MacEwan is working on a countywide tourism strategy.
- Executive co-ordinator Melissa Morrison will work on new ways to advertise and market the municipality.
The tour, undertaken in an effort to explore economic opportunities with businesses in Kings, continued throughout 2015. Brothers said the municipality’s philosophy of being "open for business" was the driving force behind the tour. The objective was the creation of better dialogue with businesses and gaining a better understanding of the business climate.
Twenty-nine visits were made throughout the municipality to businesses large and small involved in various economic sectors.
“We tried to pick a different variety of businesses,” Brothers said. “Each one of the places, we left a survey.”
Business development specialist Mark Strickland attended meetings. Brothers said he would be compiling survey results. Valley Regional Enterprise Network chief executive officer Kelly Ells sometimes participated and area councillors took part in business visits.
Some of the questions asked to operators included: what barriers exist for businesses in Kings County; what can the municipality do to improve the business climate in Kings, what are the major contributors for business success in Kings and if there are specific business needs for the given area where a business is located.
Brothers said the group heard about several issues that are federal and provincial jurisdiction, including the state of roads. One winery operator said businesses are being affected because people wanting to visit are damaging their vehicles.
Brothers said a lack of signage or inconsistent signage and red tape surrounding liquor licencing and other permitting came up. The warden said the municipality is exploring ways to work with other agencies “in a more proactive manner” in terms of issuing various permits.
A lack of hotels came up, as well as suggestions that a tourism strategy and better advertising and marketing of the county would be helpful.
Brothers said people were “very surprised” to see the warden out visiting businesses and there was a sense of appreciation that the tour involved enterprises across the county.
Brothers thanked staff for “playing a key role” and she suggested that any new mayor elected in the future should go out and do a similar tour.
“It’s educational,” Brothers said. “You hear more one-on-one than you would through email or over the telephone.”
Other suggestions included that a map of wine country would be helpful, as county vineyards and wineries are looking to expand.
Businesses would like to be informed of changes to building regulations. Some are challenged to find employees while others are experiencing difficulty accessing financing.
Small businesses contribute more than 30 per cent to Canada’s annual gross domestic product.
Recommendations
- Maintain good relations with wineries, as they’re an economic and tourism driver for the county, and create a county winery map.
- Write a letter to the Department of Transportation explaining the importance of the wine industry to the county and the need for better roads to support growth.
- Better and more consistent signage.
- Create partnerships with companies. Businesses supply the county with valuable information. The municipality, in exchange, can help promote businesses through county marketing, a map with business locations or an online App.
- Create a Kings County App to help people find local small businesses in the area. Many can’t be found on the Internet.
Actions
- Warden Diana Brothers has written a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal regarding the condition of roads leading to area wineries.
- Engineering technologist Tammie Bezanson will examine municipal signage and make signs uniform.
- Business development specialist Mark Strickland will be the contact for building permits and licensing for the wine industry, as he has industry experience. He will forge strategic partnerships between wineries and the municipality and look into helping businesses with financing and employment issues. He’s also working on opportunities to bring an additional hotel to Kings. Strickland has already addresses many desires with individual businesses.
- Chief administrative officer Tom MacEwan is working on a countywide tourism strategy.
- Executive co-ordinator Melissa Morrison will work on new ways to advertise and market the municipality.
