“You know the pandemic affected different sectors as far as our tourism operators and our restaurants go. I know that they’ve taken a bigger hit than certainly what the retail has and I think we’re seeing more people trying to shop local when they can.”
Grattan says the final report does identify three key themes to focus on for the future: business attraction, high-speed internet and downtown revitalization in both Trenton and Frankford.
“As resources become available, we’ll certainly work through them. It’ll all be done through the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee, making those recommendations to council. So, there’s some stuff that we’re certainly going to be working on right away but there’ll be other things that will have to take some time and it’ll take some budget considerations for them to move forward.”
Grattan sees business attraction and downtown revitalization as going hand in hand while the internet issues will hopefully be addressed through partnerships like the Eastern Ontario Regional Network Gig Project.
Sixty per cent of businesses did say a lack of high-speed internet affects their operations.
The city worked with consultant Strexer Harrop and Associates on the report which was funded through the Province’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program.
