About 60 Blind River residents attended a public meeting Thursday evening to give their opinions on how the town should move ahead with development.
Consultants Jovette Morin and Marla Tremblay, representing consulting firm Collins Barrow, set up the public forum at the Community Centre to allow residents to give their opinions on what they would like to see in a Blind River Corporate Strategic Plan and Economic Development Strategy.
A survey has been posted on the town’s website and has already garnered 217 responses. The survey will remain posted until the end of August to take more responses from residents.
The consultants have also been working with a steering committee of local representatives from business and other organizations, and will be talking with local First Nation representatives and area economic development members as part of the plan development.
The process has also been discussed with council, Morin acknowledged.
Morin said the plan is to get views both positive and negative with the consultants expecting to “take the best pieces,” from the information gathered.
The plan is being worked on to create a wide-ranging benchmark for future development in the community. The process will also include an “action plan… that will be guiding council in the next three to five years,” Morin said.
That action plan will involve “connecting organizations to get something better,” she added.
It will also involve community groups and council as possible grant options are explored for different projects to move ahead when the action plan is established.
The issue of high-speed internet was raised, as was attracting new business to the community. It was noted that improvements are also needed in the business core to address empty and deteriorating buildings.
“Half the stores are closed and others are falling down. An improvement would be to get rid of those buildings,” a resident said to a round of applause.
Another resident said little is being done to promote recreational activities in the town, including hiking and biking trails, fishing, hunting and the Lake Huron harbour and waterfront.
There was agreement, among a majority of those attending, that not enough was being done to promote events taking place in Blind River throughout the year.
One resident said a central location to gather information and send it out via social media should be considered. The consultants were urged to come up with a plan to advertise local events well in advance of the event taking place.
“Our problem is we’re not promoting,” she said.
Another idea that was agreed to by those attending was the need for outdoor cafes in Blind River and improved signage to let those driving through the community know what the town offers.
What the town offers those interested in moving to Blind River is French and English public and high schools, another resident noted.
The consultants heard that residents would like to see another grocery store in town, along with a car wash and dollar store in a bid to attract more business.
“There is no crime and no graffiti,” another resident said of what makes the town attractive to new residents.
Overall it was agreed that there are sufficient accommodations with motels and B&Bs that offer good rooms at affordable prices.
“If you can keep somebody here for four hours, then they will stay the night,”consultant Tremblay said.
It was also noted that residents can be the greatest “ambassadors” for the town when dealing visitor questions.
Morin said the consultants were happy with the responses they received from those who attended the forum.
More information will be gathered up until the end of August. A final report on findings and recommendations will then be made public in October.