The newly created Chesley Community Working Group has outlined a few proposed projects if it gets grant money.
A staff report to Arran-Elderslie Council March 25th laid out some of its goals.
The new group’s terms of reference say its function would be a “platform for business and community stakeholders, and local staff to share information, develop ideas, raise issues and concerns, and recommend solutions that will support economic development, and revitalization in downtown Chesley.”
The working group would like to plant a number of 20 foot trees throughout downtown, add a number of garbage cans, benches and Muskoka chairs, picnic tables, a dog waste receptacle, ashtrays, and add some window wraps to vacant store fronts.
They also want to complete a mural project that could have up to seven murals. It also includes a proposed billboard ad on Grey Rd 10 south of Robert’s Farm equipment.
The working group has identified specific locations, high-level budget estimates and details for each component of the proposed “Growing Together in Chesley” project which totals about $90,000.
Staff say if the ‘My Main Street Community Activator grant’ request for the $90,000 is approved, the projects would have to be completed by the end of the year. That grant money comes from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
The Chesley group also wants to launch an ad campaign with local magazines, radio and social media to promote Chesley.
Because the group wasn’t formed before the 2024 budget was passed, the project isn’t in the municipal budget. Staff say there is $6,500 in the Chesley Downtown Revitalization Budget.
Staff also say they are working on a banner project for Chesley that’s estimated to be under $2,000 if staff are successful in securing Spruce the Bruce funds.
The Chesley Community Working Group group is planning to meet once a month or more as needed if projects get rolling.
Beyond that, its mandate is to make recommendations to council about economic development in Chesley and will, according to its terms of reference, “support economic development and revitalization activity in Chesley that prioritizes business attraction and retention, increases Chesley’s capacity to compete, and works to develop a vibrant downtown.”
The group will be made up of two municipal councillors, Arran-Elderslie’s Economic Development and Communications Coordinator, local service groups, business owners, community members and the Arran-Elderslie Community and Business Association.
Council approved the appointments of councillors Darryl Hampton and Peter Steinacker to the group. They, along with staff can now go ahead with recruiting other members.