Later this month, Millbrook Mercantile will begin serving wine along with cheese and charcuterie offerings in a new outdoor patio. The arrival of a liquor license will coincide with the introduction of the new Wine & Cheese Lover’s Club. To celebrate the summer season they will also be introducing a new Back Pack Travel the Kawartha’s Summer Special to supplement their already extensive product offerings. This item will include a bottle of wine and charcuterie for two, with gift certificates to a variety of other Kawartha area food and entertainment locations, and a suggestion to consume their picnics at Zim Art where they can also enjoy some unique Zimbabwean artwork.
Several of these new initiatives were supported by the Cavan-Monaghan Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which has provided funding to subsidize capital expenditures in the Millbrook Business Improvement area for several years. Eligible projects have focused on investments in Façade and Signage improvement, Building and Site Improvement and Sidewalk Cafes. Township funds have been supplemented by OMAFRA Rural Economic Development funding, boosting the size and impact of the incentive pool.
Photo Karen Graham. Before the facelift.
Photo Karen Graham. From Worst to First: Millbrook Village Dental Building Exterior gets a Makeover Last month’s transformation in the landmark building that for decades held a TD bank is remarkable. With some skilled workmen and some paint, the building at 23 King St. East has a brand new look. Using brick-sized rollers and a well-conceived design employing vintage colours, the new exterior is guaranteed by the Brick Painters for ten years. The project was funded in part by a grant from the township’s Community Improvement Program. Looking good!
Launched in 2019, the CIP incentive program was established to stimulate investments within the downtown Millbrook business core. Public funding is available up to a maximum of 50% of project costs which must support the beautification and restoration of buildings, redevelopment and re-use projects, diversification and new uses for existing buildings and connection and integration of businesses in the area. In its first two years of operation, the CIP has distributed just over $79K in support of 14 projects, which triggered private spending of more than $400K.
When the 2021 program finally opened up in August, applicants had a six week window in which to submit their applications. Of the eight applications received, six were approved, for a total spend of $28K.
Millbrook Mercantile was one of the successful applicants, securing funding to help defray the cost of building a bump-out patio on the street, including railings and furniture, as well as the installation of a new bathroom to accommodate customers taking advantage of this new outdoor customer space.
The program appears to be having the intended consequences, but its restricted geographic application was a cause for concern. Only 16% of business in the township fall within the existing Millbrook CIP area, leaving the remaining 84% ineligible for these incentives.
A study of the program options recommended several new programs for consideration in the expanded CIP to make them more relevant to businesses outside the downtown core, such as ones addressing heritage conservation, technology improvement, rural and agricultural economic development, and sustainability. The report recommended that the township implement a single, township-wide program offering incentives for a variety of projects available creating a flexible options available to all businesses that would stimulate private investment and encourage development that is consistent with the goals and visions of the community. This revised program is current under development.
It’s no coincidence that some of the businesses that have accessed this program have received broad recognition for their business excellence, including Millbrook Mercantile and Millbrook Valley Chocolates, and are seen as retail destinations that draw customers from across the region. It only seems fair to extend this opportunity to businesses across the township, allowing all to seek support for projects that give them a leg up and help build a stronger local economy. KG
