A Regional Approach to Revitalizing Downtowns Kara Van Myall, County of Bruce kvanmyall@brucecounty.on.ca

1. A Regional Approach to Revitalizing Downtowns Kara Van Myall, County of Bruce kvanmyall@brucecounty.on.ca

2. Introductions • Once upon a time….

3. Introductions

4. Introductions

5. Introductions • And then there was…. Bruce County

6. Introductions • This is what I returned to

7. What We Will Chat About • Introductions • Importance of Downtowns • What is Spruce the Bruce • What Does Spruce the Bruce Do • Best Practices and Lessons Learned • Questions

8. Importance of Downtown • Community Core • Sense of Place • Rich Heritage • Community Identity • Place where we interact

9. Importance of Downtown • When we talk about • Economic development • Revitalization • Tourism / promotion • Healthy communities • Sustainable communities…. It all centres around the health and function of our downtowns!

10. What is Spruce the Bruce • Coordinated approach to help support the revitalization of our downtowns based on the Mainstreet Four-Point Approach® by National Trust for Historic Preservation • www.mainstreet.org

11. What is Spruce the Bruce

12. What is Spruce the Bruce

13. What is Spruce the Bruce • Rationale – Regional Approach • Supporting Economic Development – promoting investment in our number one asset – Downtowns! Downtown commercial areas represent 65% of our commercial assessment!

14. What is Spruce the Bruce • Rationale • Tourism – years spent marketing as a great destination

15. What is Spruce the Bruce • Tourism is the 2nd largest industry in the County • Downtowns are a main point of contact with tourist dollars

16. What is Spruce the Bruce • Rationale • Marketing vs. Product Development Sauble Beach – World Premiere Destination

17. What is Spruce the Bruce • Rationale • Marketing vs. Product Development Sauble Beach – Washroom Facilities and Capacity

18. What does STB Do • Support Organizational Capacity(Step 1) – Municipal Checklist • CommunityBrand & Identity(Step 2) • GetEnabling Policyin place (Step 3) • UtilizeSupport and Grantsto implement projects in line with brand and policy (Step 4)

19. What Does STB Do STEP 1: Building Capacity for Revitalization • Leadership or Management • Checklist • Partnership

20. What Does STB Do

21. What Does STB Do Bring People together: • Municipality • Community stakeholders • Community champions • Business stakeholders • Public participation Local STB Committee (Step 1)

22. Participants/Partners • Tobermory • Lion’s Head • Wiarton • Sauble Beach • Port Elgin • Kincardine • Ripley • Lucknow Representation Spruce the Bruce is an inclusive program that is open to all communities in Bruce County. As was noted, communities that demonstrate Organizational capacity begin working on all the program pillars. The program provides resources to those communities struggling to get organized to help them get started.

23. What Does STB Do • Community Brand & Identity(Step 2) • Identity – your Community Vision what downtown will look like in the future • Brand – how you market yourself right now

24. What Does STB Do • Focus your Identity and Manage your Brand - if you don’t someone else will Drive Canny Donald Dinnie Strawberry Festival Music in the Fields Paul Henderson Scotish Heritage Sepoy Community ………

25. What Does STB Do Community Toolkit • Community Identity • Brand • Action Plan • Local Tools This Toolkit is used by the STB Committee to bring everyone on board

26. What Does STB Do • Action Plan • Strategic plan not comprehensive plan • Focused on the 3 points

27. Lucknow: Action Plan

28. What Does STB Do

29. Design Guidelines Official Plan Policies Community Improvement Plans Facade Programs Zoning By-laws What Does STB Do • Help get Enabling Policyin place (Step 3). Build local capacity.

30. Perpendicular Storefront Sign & Awning Grant Streetscape Beautification Grant What Does STB Do • Offer Grants to implement projects in line with brand and policy (Step 4) Community Sign Grant (also includes trail markers, kiosks, etc.

31. Destination Infrastructure Grant What Does STB Do Cooperative Marketing Grant Façade Improvement and Design Services Grant

32. Funding / Outcome In 2012, County of Bruce funded $125,000 towards the Spruce the Bruce program. The municipalities with the greatest level of participation were the ones with the greatest organizational capacity in their downtowns. Amounts awarded through Spruce the Bruce Grants, by Grant Stream (2012)

33. Funding / Outcome Of the County’s 2012 investment of $125,000 approximately $119,000 was leveraged to yield a further $380,000 of investment in Bruce County downtowns. • Average cost per project in the STB program was $7500 • Every dollar invested by the STB program in 2012 yielded an additional $3.19 in investment in the Community.

34. 2012 Examples • Rankin River, Wiarton • Façade Improvement & • Perpendicular Signage Grants

35. 2012 Examples Marydale’s Restaurant, Lion’s Head Façade Improvement and Perpendicular Signage Grants

36. 2012 Examples Lucknow Gateway Entrance Sign, Community Signage Grant

37. 2012 Examples Walkerton Fish Art Tour Streetscape Beautification Grant

38. 2012 Examples Wiarton Streetscape Improvements Streetscape Beautification Grant Wiarton Brand Identity Panel

39. 2012 Examples Lucknow & Ripley Downtown Christmas Shop Local Campaign, Destination Marketing Grant

40. 2012 Examples Big Tub Lighthouse Restoration, Tobermory Destination Infrastructure Grant

41. Lessons Learned • Organization - Checklist • Grassroots • On-going support • Municipal staff resources • Money as motivator

42. Summary • Spruce the Bruce is a comprehensive regional downtown revitalization program • Organization • Research • Community Toolkits • Branding • Education • Resources • Grants

43. Thank you! • QUESTIONS? • Kara Van Myall • Senior Planner • County of Bruce • 1-800-268-3838 ext. 104 • kvanmyall@brucecounty.on.ca