A recent survey of the community’s view of downtown Kincardine has resulted in a call for a paid downtown development manager.
BIA member and survey developer Jacqueline Faubert has learned there is a perception of the “us versus them” mentality between merchants and the community at large.
Faubert says the study has resulted in 15 recommendations but has also created a “to do” list in order to achieve the goals.
She says many people are turned off by the downtown area because of empty stores and dilapidated storefronts.
Faubert suggests a downtown development manager could be mandated to secure grants for the area to improve its appearance.
However, Faubert says, the BIA can’t go it alone.
They would need help from the municipality in creating a downtown development manager’s position.
Meanwhile, Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer says he likes what the report has to say and is open to the development manager’s position.
However, he says the concept would be more attractive if that manager’s duties included not only improving the downtown core — but the outlying areas as well — such as the business development along Highway 21.
Faubert says she’ll be back before council in the new year with a completed report.
