SpotlightJanuary2021

As an organization, the Downtown Truro Partner- ship had to pivot our strategic plan as well. One of our main focuses over the past 5 years had been attracting visitors through events and festivals and for obvious reasons, all plans for the 2020 tourism season had to be cancelled. Instead, we have focused our efforts over the past year on providing business supports such as COVID-19 signage and floor decals, sector-based strategy sessions, a downtown dollar incentive program, sidewalk shopping days and constantly promot- ing the message of supporting local and staying safe. One of our main initiatives to support business throughout the pandemic was a local delivery program that delivered packages from Downtown Truro Businesses to residents in Col- chester County, Pictou County, and East Hants. The program was initially tested when everyone was “staying the blazes home” due to COVID-19 restrictions. Small businesses were hurting, and

the Downtown Truro Partnership part- nered with the Town of Truro to intro- duce a free delivery service. You could purchase just about anything from a local shop, over the phone or online, and it would be delivered to your doorstop that same week — for free. The program ran for 13 weeks and was extremely suc- cessful, delivering over 1000 packages and resulting in over $50, 000 in local spending. Leadingup to theholidays, itwasdecided to expand the project with other local partners and offer the program more broadly to all businesses in Colchester county. Once again, we offered free, same week, doorstep delivery from any Colchester small business for 8 weeks leading up to Christmas. The program

construction, is on track to be close to or even exceed 2019’s banner year. “Building permits in 2019 totaled $21.8 million. 2019, 2018 and 2016 were three of the strongest years for private construction projects in the Town of Truro since 2009. Our permit values for 2020 to date, are currently at just over $20.4 million” says Alison Grant, the Manager of Economic Development for the Town of Truro. “In addition to permit values and current construction, we current- ly have major interest in new multi-residential developments. As of right now, in the Town of Truro, there are over 1,000 new apartment units planned for Truro.” This type of growth is reflected in the Downtown as well. Our membership base is constant- ly growing, and new businesses are seeing downtown Truro as the place to be, and existing businesses are expanding. We would like to encourage everyone who can to come visit our beautiful Downtown. Right now, is the perfect time to explore “at home” and we welcome all those across the province to come and see what Downtown Truro has to offer!

“While the pandemic has slightly changed the way we do business in Truro, it certainly hasn’t slowed our growth and momentum.”

was able to give local retailers a unique advan- tage and compete with the online giants like Amazon, except even better! Once again, the program was a hit, and provided spending of over $45,000 in just 8 weeks. While the pandemic has slightly changed the way we do business in Truro, it certainly hasn’t slowed our growth and momentum. We are still a strong and vibrant town and our businesses are optimistic about the next year to come. This growth is also reflected in new developments, both commercial and residential. The Town of Truro’s building permits, which translates to new

“Right now, is the perfect time to explore “at home” and we welcome all those across the province to come and see what Downtown Truro has to offer!”

“As of right now, in the Town of Truro, there are over 1,000 new apartment units planned”

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JANUARY 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2021

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