PROMOTING OUR DOWNTOWNS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Early last year we launched a website dedicated to the shopping opportunities on the Main Streets in our program (www.shopmainstreetmiddlesex.ca).

Last year to help promote our downtowns we placed print advertisements in the local papers of Middlesex County to include the Strathroy Age Dispatch, The Transcript, The Banner, The Signpost, and the Gazette.

The advertisement featured the “Indulge all of your senses!” message.

This advertisement will also launch a “free ornament offer”. If you shop in any of the Main Streets of Middlesex County between November 15th and December 15th you can receive a free holiday ornament from Main Street Middlesex. The ornament is made of pewter and features the Main Street Middlesex logo on a stylish shopping bag filled with goodies. Just forward a copy of your receipt to our office at 22423 Jefferies Road, Unit 6 RR#5, Komoka, ON N0L 1R0.

PARKHILL STREET SIGN PROJECT RECEIVES GRANT!

The street identification markers along the Main Street in Parkhill have taken on a new heritage and uniform look in the near future. The project that was spearheaded by the Parkhill Main Street Commitee has had all the street signs through the downtown changed to a heritage look.

The project received a Streetscape Grant from Main Street Middlesex to assist with the cost, with the balance provided by the Municipality of North Middlesex.

The new signs are burgundy in colour and have the cornflower logo that matches the billboards directing visitors to the downtown.

STREETSCAPE PROJECTS UNDERWAY

In June, Main Street Middlesex approved grants for the following Streetscape Projects:

The Ailsa Craig Village Association in undertook two projects. The first project was to restore the lighting to the new murals commemorating Earl Ross and John Campbell. The second was to construct a kiosk on the Main Street in a centralized location that has space available to post flyers for upcoming events.

The Village of Newbury purchased Skunk Themed Benches for their downtown.

The Municipality of Southwest Middlesex purchased decorative street markers for the downtown core areas of Wardsville and Glencoe. The signs include the street name, town and the Southwest Middlesex identity symbol.

Southwest Middlesex Recreation and Facilities undertook the development and construction of flower and shrub containers/welcoming floral bed at the Glencoe Train Station to enhance the appearance of the area for their entry in the newly introduced Communities In Bloom Via Rail Garden Route.

Thorndale Revitalization, in conjunction with the Municipality of Thames Centre, constructed new gateways to downtown Thorndale. The gateways are the beginning of a pleasurable, visual experience for travellers approaching the village from either direction. The gateways are an integral part of the makeover of the Main Street in Thorndale.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COMMUNITY EXCHANGE PROGRAM

There is only one opportunity to make a first impression, and communities throughout Middlesex County are learning how to make a good one.

CFDC of Middlesex County is working with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to co-ordinate the First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) program with three of our designated Main Street communities throughout the County.

The First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) program helps communities learn about existing strengths and weaknesses as seen through the eyes of a first time visitor. It is a structured process that reveals the first impression a community conveys to outsiders, including tourists and potential investors. It offers a fresh perspective on the community’s appearance, services and infrastructure and provides insight on the community as seen through the eyes of a first time visitor. The exchanges can be focused on the community, the downtown or on tourism.
FICE was first developed in Wisconsin as a relatively simple, inexpensive community development tool. It involves two municipalities of similar size and situation sending small teams of volunteers to each other’s communities to assess aspects such as friendliness, aesthetic appeal and recreational opportunities in order to determine how different individuals and organizations such as youth, business people and retirees might view a community and decide whether or not to visit, live or locate a business there.

Once volunteer teams have conducted their visits and assessments, the communities meet to provide reports that highlight the other community’s strengths and suggest how weaknesses could be addressed.

“The program will allow us to get an unbiased third party perspective on our tourism facilities, visitor’s centre, downtown appearance, amenities and services. It may aid in identifying gaps in our infrastructure, the state and quality of housing in the area, recreational services, and could possibly provide some insight into health and social services in our communities,” said Cara Finn General Manager of the CFDC of Middlesex County.

Each community is judged on the same criteria and matched with a community of a similar size.

Main Street Middlesex has completed a First Impressions Downtown Exchange between Wallaceburg and Strathroy. A team of volunteers from Strathroy visited Wallaceburg on July 17th. The communities exchanged findings in November with presentations in each community.