Guest column: Amherstburg community group seeks to strengthen the future of the city

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Today, communities of all sizes face serious challenges.

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We could argue that small cities face the most challenges.

Many smaller communities in Ontario are a shadow of what they once were. Most of the major manufacturing companies have disappeared, and while there is always hope for a major new employer, few communities will see that happen.

The advent of department stores has also not helped draw customers away from the central downtown areas while reinforcing dependence on the car. Local stores have often been a victim, leaving shop windows empty and making downtown areas look tired and empty.

While Amherstburg is doing quite well, the city is not without its challenges.

So what to do? How about listening to the late Winston Churchill?

“When you’re going through hell, keep going. Never, never, never give up, ”he said.

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In Amherstburg, a small group of community leaders have come together to help the city prosper. The group’s name is an acronym for: timeless, healthy, relevant, inspired, valued, and engaged.

Six values ​​that guide everything we do.

We believe that this values-oriented approach will help us to be successful. Importantly, all of our group’s recommendations to council and residents will be evidence-based, take into account national and international best practices, and always follow the science.

We also try to be positive. The world needs a little more of that today.

We are currently working on initiatives that may be relevant in other communities. Ideas ranging from tackling the climate crisis to affordable housing. We promote safe streets that are designed for active transportation, have lower speed limits, and encourage greater accessibility for pedestrians.

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We are also advocating for the protection and restoration of Amherstburg’s heritage, while promoting the arts and culture. We are confident that these initiatives can come together to create an even more livable community.

So how are we doing so far?

It’s still early, but we’re thinking pretty good. On October 12, our group will appear before the council to speak on the subject of “Open Air,” the weekend open streets in Amherstburg.

The presentation shares many of the best practices from around the world. It also contains survey results from residents and visitors on what they think. Our survey generated 901 responses, which has historically been a great response for Amherstburg.

Key figures: 85.9 percent want Open Air to continue and 75.4 percent want the city to invest more funds to make it even better.

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This same approach will be used when our group expects to appear before the council many times over the next 12 months.

Residents are also increasing. They are investing in new and existing businesses, restoring heritage properties, and commissioning beautiful murals. We believe momentum is building in the city with many new launch pad investments by 2022.

It is true that any new initiative may suffer some setback. There are residents who will always resist change and prefer the status quo.

However, our group believes that the status quo rarely works in the long term. Technologies change, consumer tastes change, and therefore we feel that businesses must change.

Of the Fortune 500 companies in 1955, fewer than sixty survive today. Companies closest to home like General Chemical, Detroit Steel, Big V and even Duffy’s Tavern have disappeared. You have to innovate, adapt and invest if you want to succeed.

We believe THRIVE is optimistic, our approach will help Amherstburg become an even better place to live and visit as we move into the 21st century. We also think that we could be a model for other communities to learn from our successes and even our failures.

But to stand a chance, all communities need are committed and motivated community leaders to step up and make it happen.

Lauri Brouyette and Richard Peddie are Co-Directors of THRIVE