MBTCC Mid Year Report
On behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to report the following.
1. 2024 Flower Basket Program
This is the second year since COVID that the program has gone ahead. To keep the program alive we need member and no-member sponsors for the baskets. Karen Pinsent and Hilary Scott will be in touch with you about this in the coming days. Thank you to the Town of Mahone Bay for their $2500 donation.
2. Blossom Time in the Bay
This is a new program this year to attract Spring visitors to our Town. We partnered with the Home and Garden Tours sponsored by the Mahone Bay Museum and had a very successful weekend. This is a definite asset to preserve and grow in 2024.
3. Visitor Information Centre Improvements
The VIC opened for visitors in June on a limited schedule which will expand as the summer approaches. In addition, we have enlarged the gardens on the site and created an accessible picnic area.
We are waiting for the Government to approve our hiring program for 2023 which should be forthcoming by the end of June. Also, we have received $7500 from the Tourism Board to assist with expenses. We will be featuring updated maps again this year
4. Representation on Proposed Town Bylaws
You will have seen notices and copies of representations we have made. It is extremely important for members to inform themselves about these proposed changes. You can get a copy from the Town website. We also meet regularly with Council to keep them abreast of our plans and views.
5. Exit 10 Sign Removal
We continue to plug away at this hoping to get Transport to remove these illegally placed and unsightly signs and place a wildflower garden there. Transport won’t act without MODL approval and MODL declined out first request to act. It’s a mystery still as to why. Nevertheless, our next move was to ask Mahone Bay Town Council to pass a motion requesting MODL to act and this has now been done. We await the result. In the meantime, if you have a sign at Exit 10 please consider voluntarily removing it to a location beside the ditches along Hwy 3.
6. Wavecam
We have received permission from the Town and the Marina to install a camera at the Marina which will give a panoramic view of the Bay and the Three Churches and will allow people to take a look live each day and at our Town and its most iconic feature. CTV will also periodically broadcast a shot on their wavecam network.
7. Light Up the Town
We are working with the Town to make a more attractive presentation for visitors to Main Street in the winter by adding festive lighting just as Lunenburg did last year. The Chamber has pledged financial support for this effort but awaits word on other grant funds from the Town and the Province. This is a project that will require tripartite participation to go ahead.
8. Partnerships with other Entities
We continue to work at reaching out to other non-profits in Town to enhance cooperation and coordination of activities. Among those we are working closely with are the new Signature Festivals of Mahone Bay (Scarecrow and Father Christmas), the Heritage Boatyard Cooperative, the Museum, the Garden Club and the Mahone Bay Center,
9. Public Art Initiative
Last year we started this initiative by installing the driftwood monsters along Upper Main Street. This year under the leadership of Pam Segger we are incorporating a group to continue these efforts in our Town. Stray tuned for an announcement of 2023 project, “Quilted Mahone Bay “.
10. Wellness Collective
This effort is being undertaken with the encouragement and support of the Economic Development Committee of the Chamber and is intended to create a focal point for wellness providers to exchange ideas about worthwhile projects and market their services more effectively to a wider audience. The response so far has been very enthusiastic.
11. Welcome Hilary Scott
Hilary Scott joins us as Administrative Coordinator on a part-time basis on July 4.
We feel encouraged by what we have accomplished so far in 2023 but always welcome input and suggestions from members. Please send these to me George@saltboxbrewingcompany.ca.
Have a great summer.
George Anderson
Chair
