As we near the end of a municipal council term, it’s only natural to look back on the past four years and reflect on the changes brought about by leadership.
One of the most significant, for Princeton’s council, is the establishment of an economic development office and the hiring of director Gary Schatz.
Schatz, who possesses an impressive CV, took up this role last year.
Credit where it’s due, while all of council supported the initiative, it was solidly driven by Jerome Tjerkstra.
He was behind the sourcing of provincial grant money to partially fund the position, demonstrating vision and persistence.
Economic development, when it is successful, is like a snowball rolling down hill. It starts small, picking up speed and size as it travels.
Schatz – an Ontario import – focused initially and wisely on consultation with the business community.
Observations and conclusions from that process informed the department’s agenda.
One of the key recommendations from community stakeholders was simply that Princeton businesses, and the community overall, needs more promotion.
Last month Schatz launched the Princeton app. Designed for both local residents and visitors, it features information about the town and its attractions, plus a directory that promotes every Princeton business at no charge.
As of last week the app had 392 downloads and 3,500 views.
About the same time the municipality applied for a trademark slogan – Princeton: Where rivers and friends meet, which will be used in future promotional material.
In the works now are a redesign of the Princeton website, the development of a Princeton YouTube channel to highlight the area’s lifestyle and businesses, and a municipal Instragram account to do the same.
Yes. We are finally living in, at least, 2016.
Schatz is also working on a marketing package and new signage for the industrial park, and pursuing the idea of an airpark development.
In order for any business to succeed, it must invest.
Princeton invested in an economic development strategy, and it’s paying dividends.
Not much to criticize here, but plenty to crow about.
- The Similkameen Spotlight