The layout of the community and the focus on the success of the Quarry has resulted in a perceived rift between our growing business community and our Historic Downtown businesses. How will you, as a mayor or councillor, foster a business community that is more cohesive?
I have recently spoken to numerous business owners and the rift that once existed between the downtown businesses and the Quarry businesses has not come up in the conversations. Both areas, and most businesses in both areas are quite different. Old versus the new. I do believe that the town could do more as far as signage directing people to both areas. Many visitors have bypassed downtown because after Centre and 1A there isn’t a sign indicating where downtown is. I cannot stress enough for residents, and especially the Town of Cochrane, to shop local, regardless of the area. A healthy commercial economy results in a healthy town, because the more successful our commercial and industrial economies are the healthier our economy is, due to the tax base and the employment these businesses provide. In an effort to beautify downtown by putting in extended curbs, the town took away parking on First Street, which I believe was a mistake, and some of the trees that were planted now visually block some of the business storefronts. I also believe the town could promote our businesses better.
