On August 25, 2011, the newly formed Cramahe Retail Revitalization Committee (CRRC) announced the launch of the Commercial Business Retention and Expansion Study. The study is part of the efforts of the CRRC to analyze the current status of the commercial sector and ultimately develop short and long term action plans to revitalize Cramahe's commercial economy from Hwy 401 development to downtown revitalization initiatives to supporting rural business development. The Cramahe Commercial BR&E is a community-based economic development strategy with a focus on supporitng and nurturing businesses already existing in the community with the goal of retaining businesses and identifying expanding or potential new businesses.
A structured business survey will be used which is part of the award-winning provincial BR&E Program. Each commercial business is surveyed as a means of beginning a dialogue with the local businesses with the intent of identifying issues, concerns and potential opportunities and taking action where appropriate. The Cramahe Commerical BR&E will build relationships with the existing businesses, demonstrate and provide community support for local business, address urgent business concerns and issues and improve community between teh community and local businesses as short term goals. In the long term, the objectives will be to increase the competitivenss of local business, job creation and new business development, establish and implement strategic actions for local economic development and develop a stronger, more viable local economy.
Local community service groups, residents and committee memebers will administer the surveys which are scheduled to start in late September or early October, 2011. The committe has applied to be a pilot community for the newly revised BR&E survey that the province is launching. Oncer the survey is completed by province, the surveying of Cramahe commercial businesses will begin.
The Cramahe Retial Revitalization Committee was born from a commercial sector input session held this past Spring, 2011. Current members include Mayor Marc Coombs, Eric Lawlor, Regional Information Coordinator and project facilitator, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Gerri Weatherbee, Gerri's Photography; Lorne Bumstead, Computer Solutions; Tamika Potter and Clark Kristmanson, Cree Decor; Deborah Young, The Independent and Rhonda Marshall, Rhonda's Heritage Framing. New members are welcome!
Cramahe Commercial BR&E press release - August 25, 2011
