I think a major factor that is impacting business in town yet seems entirely ignored is our population. As bigger stores come in, smaller stores are closing down. In normal cities, small businesses can function because there is enough local consumers to ensure that everyone gets a slice of the pie all year round. The way we market Fernie these days does not attract long term residents, which we need more of. Not only to spend money here, but to live here and work and spread the wealth. The tourism marketing is a start, but the more we do that the more expensive it gets to live here. Whos gonna run this town? I know of perfectly feasible businesses in town that have closed their doors only because they can not find employees that will stay for more than a month or two. Maybe we should worry about the basics before we get too crazy with the marketing. How about some affordable housing? I don’t know much about this DMO stuff, but by the sounds of it I don’t think the time is right to give our businesses another headache.
gavitron
