Author: Dave Tiffin

Individually, we are but one drop. Together, we are an ocean.

“Wingham, Back in Business”

It’s time for a Wingham Business Promotion!                  
The information below was taken from a letter that has gone out to businesses of the Wingham BIA. We thought it would be of interest to the general public to see what the BIA is working on for the business community and our shoppers.   Business response to this has been extremely positive to date!!                                

Objective
We are writing this letter in regards to an upcoming promotional event for the Wingham business community, scheduled to run from Monday July 13 to Saturday September 12.  With this letter we would like to assess merchant interest and get an idea on the number of businesses that would like to participate.

Program Outline

• The program will run similar to the Dig Our Downtown promotion that was held in 2011.
• Participating customers will acquire a passport from a participating business location.
• With every purchase made from a participating business location, the customer will receive a stamp on their passport.
• Once the passport is full of stamps, the customer will drop the passport off at a participating business location to be entered into the grand prize draw.
• Customer can then start a new passport.

Investment
Promotional investment of $200.00 plus tax will get you:

9 weeks of promotion, Great value!

• Approximately 32 name mentions on the radio.
• Have your business name listed on the BIA website which will explain the program.
• Window posters to show participating business locations.
• BIA Facebook promo.
• Your business listed on passport.
• Standard social Media advertisement that all participating businesses can post on their businesses social network, including the program details and all participating businesses.

Also each business will donate a $50.00 (minimum value) gift certificate to be pooled together with all participating businesses equaling our grand prize.

THE MAGIC OF EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER

We will run a series of 30 second commercials using 9 seconds on promoting the program and the other 21 seconds for 3 supporting business names (business names will rotate with each commercial).

CKNX Radio will support this program in the same way it did for the Dig Our Downtown program in 2011 which was dollar for dollar.

ie: 100 businesses with a $200.00 investment = $20,000. CKNX will match this equaling $40,000 equating to 1052 commercials over a 9-week timeline.

Your BIA Promotional Committee:

Bill George – Bilbo Bongins 905-226-0420

Alicia Deitner – The 2 Step 357-1840

Gary Ballagh – CKNX Radio 357-6263

Bruce Stainton – Stainton Home Hardware 357-2910

“PROGRESS IS WHEN EVERYONE PUSHES IN THE SAME DIRECTION”

Radio can reach beyond the town to draw consumers to your business

As the province starts to reopen from the Covid shutdown, we’ve asked our members to provide us with their current status and/or reopening plans. Their information can be found through their entry on the Business Directory of this website. Any who have updated their status will have information under the title “Covid Update” found under the “Show More Info” section of their entry. You can see specific business information by going to Find a Business on the websites main menu and using the search filters to locate your business of interest. Stay safe.

As our community strives to overcome the threats of the Covid-19 virus, the status of many businesses are important to our consumers, as well as the survival of the businesses themselves. We asked the Wingham BIA membership, through an email request, to forward us their current status so we could post it online for the aid of customers. We were posting this on Facebook, but it became too difficult to read, so we’ve uploaded a PDF document to this site which you can open to view. This will list the businesses, in alphabetical order, on which we have current information and will be updated as we receive more information. Please support our local businesses where possible during this difficult time. Stay safe for yourself and others. Last update – April 30, 2020, 4:30 pm.

                The Wingham Business Improvement Area (BIA) held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Knights Lounge of the North Huron Wescast Community Complex.  Approximately 22 people were in attendance, most with voting privileges. 

                Chairman Doug Kuyvenhoven welcomed everyone and started the meeting off with a review of 2019 accomplishments.  Several pictures were shown of volunteers beautifying Josephine Street businesses by painting and weed maintenance.  The Town Hall Theatre, after an opening event in the spring, saw several performances the rest of the year.  Although not a direct project of the BIA, it has the BIA’s full support with the expectation of drawing people to Wingham and local businesses.  The Chair also explained that the BIA supports the Santa Claus Parade and the Firemen Fireworks by paying the insurance costs, pays for a marching band for the parade and puts a float in the parade.  The Vision and Mission statements of the Wingham BIA were also reviewed.  Kuyvenhoven also mentioned two goals are to brand Wingham for music and to become a leader in accessibility.  The minutes of the 2019 AGM were read and approved.

                Treasurer, Jason Schiestel, presented the 2019 financial statements. There were a few questions and explanations relating to the financials, but nothing serious was brought to attention.  Schiestel also presented the proposed 2020 budget.  After some discussion around advertising and a proposed LED sign project the budget was passed by a 17-1 margin.  Dave Tiffin gave a brief summary of the Digital Main Street initiative.  This was a program by the Ontario government and the Ontario BIA Association whereby small businesses could apply for a $2,500 grant towards increasing their online presence.  Although the grant application period has expired, the training videos and information area are available at www.digitalmainstreet.ca.

                Lisa Hearnden and Dave Tiffin presented awards to several businesses and volunteers.  Terry & Sandy Walker were named Volunteers of the Year for all their volunteer hours with the BIA Curb Appeal and work on the Town Hall Theatre.  New businesses in 2019 are Lone Wolf Antiques, Huron County Designs (winner of the In It To Win It contest), Thaiville restaurant, Reeny’s restaurant.  Christine McGrath of Christine’s Clothes Closet was given the Business of the Year Award.  Christine has had her store for 30 years and has run countless fashion shows that generated funds local causes.  Congratulations, Christine!!

                The current Board members are all returning, but there was one opening due to a departure earlier in the year.  Ryan Fergusson of Co-operators was the only name on the ballot for that opening and there were no nominations from the floor.  A ballot vote was still held with 17 in favour of Ryan and one abstention.

                The floor was open for further comments or questions.  There was very little input except for a comment regarding the good work of the Curb Appeal that does the painting and weeding.  The meeting was adjourned and a social time followed with light snacks and bar provided by the Knights of Columbus.

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   The Wingham BIA Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knights Lounge of the North Huron Wescast Complex.  All BIA members and Associate members are encouraged to attend.  These meetings are not usually too long, but review accomplishments and financial statements of the previous year as well as preview goals for 2020 and approve the new budget.  Light snacks will be available and a cash bar, operated by the Knights of Columbus, will be open after the meeting. 

     Click this link to find the agenda for 2020 AGM, proposed budget and financial statements. https://winghambia.ca/annual-general-meeting/

     The role of the BIA is to promote the Wingham business community.  While we do not promote individual businesses, we will acknowledge new businesses or special anniversaries.  The BIA also supports various community events such as the annual Santa Claus parade, the Firemen July 1^st fireworks display, the Festival of Lanterns and the Musical Muskrat Festival.  Other areas, not necessarily all, the BIA is involved in either directly or indirectly are:

• Cruickshank Park Christmas lights
• Handrails at the Cenotaph
• Funding a band for the Santa Claus parade
• Curb Appeal – beautification of the business core by painting and weeding
• Community Cash program that keeps dollars being spent in Wingham
• The first In It To Win It contest that was held in 2019
• Proposed LED sign at Tim Hortons corner to promote town events
• Christmas music along Josephine Street in season
• Christmas star lights for the streetlight posts
• Sandwich boards for business
• Sandwich board toppers to promote various town events
• Streetlight banners
• Across street banners
• Digital Main Street initiative of 2019
• Community Improvement Plan grant promotion
• Flower baskets
• Canada flags
• Branding Wingham for music

This isn’t meant to cover everything that happened in the past year, but as we end the decade a short review of some recent changes and happenings in Wingham.

                There continues to be a shortage of workers in the area.  Wescast, Britespan and down the road, Gaylea in Teeswater, have all been vocal in the difficulty in finding workers locally.  This is compounded by the fact that there’s a shortage of homes to purchase and rental properties in the area for workers who would relocate to our area.  Wescast currently has approximately a dozen workers who have migrated from Pakistan.  If you see these fellows out and about, make them feel welcome as it’s a big transition for them.  Not only are the industries having issues finding employees, but several small businesses are in the same boat. 

                On the housing side, North Huron Council is taking steps to try to get some development moving.  The Hutton Heights property south of Wingham has begun environmental studies with the intention of a housing development on the property.  Also, the A2A property at the East end of Charles Street has some new leadership in their development plans.  Although, not shortterm solutions, the long term is looking strong.  Real estate sales for established housing seem to be moving extremely quickly with homes for sale on the market for only a short time. 

                Josephine Street has seen some new business activity.  I won’t mention names here for fear of missing someone, but a successful “In It To Win It” contest was run which has resulted in a new business opening.  Two new developments at the south end of town have had the population speculating for several months now.  Regardless of the businesses that will operate out of them, they’re adding to tax base, which is never a bad thing.

                This year saw the end of the Wingham Police force, which had significant input for going to OPP, both pro and con.  The jury is still out on this one, but to date, there’s been a solid OPP police presence in town.  Another item which has the population opinion split is the future of the Howson Dam.  Years of truck traffic took a big toll on the structure and motor traffic across it was eliminated several years ago.  However, as the concrete continues to crumble there’s a debate on the viability of repairing or replacing the dam to recreate the pond area that used to see activity for boating and water skiing.  Having the dam in place not only affects Wingham, but may have effects on farmland upriver.  One more item currently getting input is the possibility of moving the Museum from the old post office on Josephine Street to the former train station.  A Committee of Council has been established to look into this as well as one to look into the dam options.

                Wingham remains a strong, vibrant town with something for everyone.  Minor sports thrive, there’s a wide variety of athletic and fitness options for people to be involved in and several volunteer groups looking for assistance.  The Wingham Community Connectors, established through the Alice Munro Library, will be hosting a volunteer fair in April of 2020 where groups can show what they’re all about and hopefully attract new members.  The Farmer’s Market continues in the summer months, along with the Musical Muskrat Festival and Silver Stick hockey tournaments annually.  The Wingham Golf and Curling Club is going strong, thanks to strong volunteer support and is hosting 3 high level bonspiels from November 2019 through to spring of 2020 which bring many people from out of the area.  Another venue bringing people to town is the renovated Town Hall Theatre.  The theatre saw a larger than expected number of events in 2019 and already has multiple bookings for 2020.

                As we head into the new year we wish you all the very best for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2020.

The annual Lions Club Santa Claus parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Marshaling will begin at 10:30 a.m. near the Beer Store. The parade will run south along Josephine Street to the Frosty Queen. Anyone wanting to have an entry in the parade needs to download and read the 2 attachments with this article.

There’s a variety of entertainment options coming to Wingham over the next few weeks. It starts at the Wingham Town Hall Theatre with Valdy performing on Nov. 15, Peter Irwin & The Memphis Rebels doing an Elvis Christmas performance on Nov. 24 and Michelle Wright performing Wed., Dec. 4. The Elvis show also has the option of attending a Christmas dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall afterwards. Wingham Minor Hockey is also holding a fundraiser for the required half ice boards. They’re hosting a Yuk Yuk’s show on Nov. 29 at the Knights Hall. Please refer to the posters around town for ticket information, but Valdy and Michelle Wright are available online or through Annette’s Treasures Galore, Elvis at the KoC Hall or Christine’s Clothes Closet or South Bruce Flooring and Yuk Yuk’s through some WMHA personnel or the KOC Hall.

Nothing to do in a small town?? I think not!!!!

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Due to the current shortage of housing in the Wingham area for employees wanting to move here we have developed a form for anyone who wants to list available rental space.

These spaces can be anything from a full house to Air BnB. The form we’ve created will ask for your contact information, the type of rental property and the location. The data will be made available to local employers who in turn can advise employees of availability. Any rental agreements will be between the property owner and the employee. Employers and the Wingham BIA will not be involved in these arrangements.

If you have space to rent click the “Rental Housing” menu item on the home page of our site.

                Huron Economic Development , Mayors of North Huron and Morris-Turnberry along with members of the Wingham BIA, Centre for Employment & Learning and Human Resources representatives from 3 of the larger local employers have been meeting to try to solve a double edged problem in the area.

                Companies are in dire need of workers and there’s a local shortage.  Chris Watson of Huron Economic Development told the meetings that the Huron, Bruce, Grey, Perth region has an unemployment rate of just over 3% (lowest in the province).  The rate considered full employment is 5%, taking into account seasonal workers and those no longer looking for employment.  The lack of workers is troubling, but there is also a lack of housing for workers willing to transfer into the area.

                Allison Letteau of Wescast in Wingham stated that the company is moving work from their Michigan facility to Wingham.  They’ll require 24 people to staff the line, with still requiring an additional 26 people for their other operating lines for a total of 50 people required.  But finding the workers is proving difficult.  The same was echoed by Jennica Fry of Britespan and Corry Mayberry-Milton of Gay Lea in Teeswater.  There are housing initiatives in Blyth, East Wawanosh and M-T, but they are, for the most part, realistically 2 years from availability.

                A short term solution being investigated is busing workers in either daily or a week at a time.  But again, the housing shortage precludes the weekly routine.  That being said, those attending the meetings have decided to try developing  a database of locations that current residents would be willing to rent out.  If you have an available house, granny flat, apartment, B&B, Air BnB or are even willing to take in a boarder, local employers would like to hear about it.  The Wingham BIA has developed an online form where people can register their property.  The information would be forwarded to employers needing accommodation for workers.  The BIA is assisting in this development, but will not be responsible for the renting as that will be between the employee and property owner. 

                It’s not only the larger employers having trouble finding workers.  Several storefronts in the area have Help Wanted signs displayed.  There’s plenty of opportunity for our region to keep growing and there’s a diverse need of employees.  If we work together we can keep the local economy booming.

For job postings at the companies listed above and contact information you can check:
https://www.britespanbuildings.com/about/#careers
http://wescast.com/about/careers/
https://www.gaylea.com/about-us/employment/positions/