Economic Developers Council of Ontario: Mission Mainstreet Possible
Written By: Rob Spanier | February 1st, 2012
http://www.edcoconference.com/program/program-details.html
Ever wonder what magic is needed to transform a charming historical downtwon back into a vibrant mainstreet attracting jobs, tourists and residents in the 21st Century? What is the special sauce needed when your downtown never had that charm in the first place? Mission Mainstreet Possible profiles the successes of Kitchener and London to revitalize its downtown and Mississauga's Downtown21 grand visioning to transform the lands around Canada's second largest shopping mall into a mainstreet. In this session you will learn:
What are the fundamental elements needed to activate vitality into your community's matinstreet?
How the mainstreet experience in resort towns like Shistler and Tremblant is helping to transform Mississauga's vision for its downtown core?
What role post-secondary education can play in activating the mainstreet?
How innovation centres attract innovative businesses and the creative class.
How financial incentives and partnerships drive change.
Moderator: Rob Spanier
Panelists:
Andrew McNeil, Downtown21, City of Mississauga
Cory Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Community Development, City of Kitchener
Kadie Ward, Mainstreet Board, London Economic Development Corporation
