Brockton Business Newsletter
February 18th, 2022
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In this issue:
- New Residents Guide
- Digital Main Street
- Brockton Dollars
- Brockton Budget Approved
- Advancing Women Economically (AWE) Program and International Women's Day
- Walkerton Clean Water Centre Announces New CEO
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Check out our New Residents Guide! |
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The Municipality has published a new resource guide for residents and newcomers to Brockton, available free of charge to businesses, service agencies and their customers and employees.
The booklet covers everything you need to know about living in our community, offering maps and information about childcare, schools, garbage and recycling, events, volunteer opportunities, municipal services, health care and much more.
A great resource for hiring managers, realtors, service agencies or anyone looking to welcome new people to Brockton, copies are available from the Municipal office at 100 Scott Street.
You may also email us if you would like copies dropped off. |
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Need a Hand with Your Digital Promotions or Website? |
We are happy to announce that the Digital Main Street program has been extended, meaning our Digital Service Squad member Brooke Hagan is still available to offer free, one-on-one help to any Brockton business looking to improve their digital marketing.
You can also sign up for the final webinar in our series -- Instagram 101, on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd at 1:30 p.m., designed for intermediate users of the platform. Register here for free! Recordings of previous sessions with Brooke are also available.
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New Brockton Dollars Launched! |
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The Brockton Dollars program is up and running, with more than 40 local businesses already signed up! Are you one of them?
The gift certificates are available in denominations of $10, $25 and $50, and can be purchased from the Municipal Office at 100 Scott Street. To place a bulk order, please send us an email or call 519-881-2223, ext. 131.
It isn't mandatory to sign up, but there are perks to doing so, including:
- A free listing on our Brockton Dollars webpage
- A free decal for your storefront window
- Optional e-transfer payments for redeemed "dollars"
- Inclusion in our list of participating businesses, distributed to everyone who receives Brockton Dollars
- Information about security features built into the Brockton Dollars gift certificates
Walkerton Dollars can still be redeemed at the Municipal Office, and like the new Brockton Dollars, they never expire.
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Municipal Budget Prioritizes E-Permitting, Business Park Expansion, CIP Incentives and Market Garden |
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Brockton Council has approved its 2022 municipal budget with a total tax rate increase of 3.51% and a total levy of $10,432,163. Council and staff are committed to ensuring a reasonable tax rate increase, while prioritizing long-term sustainability as we continue to see increased development in the community, resulting in the need to make improvements to our existing infrastructure.
The 2022 budget includes financial commitments to support the expansion of the East Ridge Business Park for a total project estimate of $6,375,300, with Phase 1 of our master servicing plan proceeding in March.
The development of the Market Garden Park on Durham Street in Walkerton -- a public space for residents, businesses, customers and visitors -- is also proceeding to construction, with an estimated project cost of $239,000 funded by a combination of donations, grant funding and reserve funds.(More information on the project and how you can contribute -- and be recognized -- is available on our Community Projects page).
Our Community Improvement Plan is also being updated to provide more incentives to support business and investment in the community, and Council has committed $35,000 towards projects that meet the criteria. Stay tuned for a public meeting next month to review our expanded Community Improvement Plan. Details will be available shortly.
Brockton will also implement an e-permitting system to support the increased growth within the community and streamline processes for builders and investors.
Many of the budget items include consideration for implementing key priorities set by Council within the Strategic Action Plan by contributing to the future growth of the Municipality.
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Celebrating Women in Business |
Saugeen Connects is hosting Amanda Lynn Mayhew of Just Hunt Inc. as its keynote speaker for International Women's Day on March 8th, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
The virtual event will include a panel discussion with local leaders exploring the theme: "Women Empowerment, Overcoming Barriers."
Our AWE (Advancing Women Economically) program for 2022 will follow, beginning March 14th. The 9-part lunch-time learning series is open to women launching new businesses. Applications are due March 7th.
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Clean Water Centre Announces New CEO Brian Bates |
Brian Bates will be returning to Walkerton as CEO of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre on February 22.
Mr. Bates has worked in the water industry for more than 20 years, including time as manager of training and development at the centre from 2019 to 2020.
Most recently, he was the senior director of product management at Evoqua Water Technologies.
Current CEO Carl Kuhnke, who is also a member of Brockton's Economic Development Committee, is retiring from the centre after 4.5 years of leadership.
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Do you have business news to share with us? Need business assistance or further information about programs highlighted in this newsletter? Please contact Community Economic Development Coordinator Paulette Peirol at ppeirol@brockton.ca or call 519-881-2223 ext 131. The Brockton Municipal Office is open to the public, and staff are also available by email or phone. We are working diligently to serve the community and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Updated information about the coronavirus is available on our website, at www.brockton.ca/COVID-19.
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