There were 15 people out for the latest Greenwood Economic Development Committee meeting on Nov. 27 in council chambers.
Mayor Nipper Kettle praised the initiative for bringing together representatives from the Greenwood Board of Trade, Community Futures Boundary (CFB), Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce and city council to the same table to set an action plan for economic development.
The meeting began with CFB General Manager Wendy McCullough providing a review of the Nov. 7 strategic planning session at McArthur Centre that was facilitated by Dr. Kyleen Myrah. According to Kettle, CFB provided the funding for the planning session. The city has allocated $2,000 in funds for the work of the economic development committee.
The next order of business on the agenda was the selection of a committee chair. It was agreed that this group should not be driven by council but could be supported by council.
BOT president Jim Nathorst was nominated and elected chair of the committee by acclamation.
Three ideas had been short-listed at the Nov. 7 meeting quality signage, community beautification and window displays.
These three items were brought back to the table one at a time for discussion at last week’s meeting and a “team leader” or champion was selected for each.
There was considerable discussion about signage. A number of questions were identified and a three-person committee comprised of Jim Nathorst, Tim Arnell and Jeff Fraser was formed to follow up and report back at the next meeting (scheduled for Jan 22, 2014).
Cleaning up and beautifying the City included a look at the tourism infrastructure (i.e. a bathroom and picnic area at the A-frame), the possibility of establishing free camping in O’Hairi Park with signage indicating the local businesses that provide serviced campsites, a cleanup of city-owned properties and facelifts for city owned properties and other properties. It was agreed that council would take the lead on this file.
Work will go forward to find a champion and form a committee devoted to window displays. Inquiries will be made at the Greenwood Heritage Society (museum) meeting and a letter from the Board of Trade will go out to the entire business community advising them of the project and inviting them to help and participate.
The BOT will take on this item and it will come from them.
There was also some discussion about sponsoring a “party” in the spring to welcome in the tourist season, perhaps organized as a fundraiser. Further discussion to take place over the coming months.