Small rural towns in Western Canada have had to face some very difficult times. PMU cuts, BSE or mad cow disease, avian influenza, declining grain prices, fluctuating yields due to weather condition, fuel costs and other increasing expenses have left some communities on the brink of survival.
"We hear the stats, agriculture businesses have had declining incomes for consecutive years, they are in large part the economy that funds many rural communities," said Daymon Guilllas, managing partner of the Russell Inn and co-chair of the Russell Main Street Revitalization committee. "The only way for
support businesses, like our main street merchants to
ride this crisis out is to create new types of economy."
In November 2005, 49 Russell merchants and interested residents loaded a bus for a three-day trip to Leavenworth, Washington. Their objective then was to find out how the once healthy and thriving community, reliant on the sawmill and logging industry eventually fell apart when the Great Northern Railway Company relocated and how the residents rallied together to create a sustainable and extremely successful new economy; tourism.
With a long-term strategy and a committed community, the town of Leavenworth, Washington created an industry that now attracts over one million visitors per year. Not only did Leavenworth find a way to ride out their crisis, they rode right to the top.
What does it take to turn a rural and primarily agri based community of Manitoba, Canada into a thriving tourist town?
1. A major artery: Russell has three, the #16 Yellowhead Highway, the #83 and the #45 highways.
2. Lots of festivals and events: Currently Russell hosts 23 festivals and events with room for growth.
3. Attractions: A proposed 18 hole premier golf course is currently in the works, pending approvals, plus a full menu of outdoor adventure activities, some focused on family and some focused on the extreme.
4. Cottage country: There are currently over 200 cottages or lots located near the Lake of the Prairies, 25 kilometers north of Russell and more on the way.
5. Winter tourism: Russell is located just 20 kilometers from Asessippi Ski Area & Winter Park, Manitoba's premier winter resort, which also has plans to expand in to a year round destinations.
"All of this activity in the area needs a strong and charming hub of retail and services," Guillas continues "that is the goal of our Main Street Revitalization program."
A committee of Russell merchants united in 2005 to form a long-term strategy and soon gained the support of town council and the Government of Manitoba, willing to fund a number of critical studies.
"The unveiling of the first set of arches for Russell signifies our commitment to our long-term strategy," said Spencer Reavie, owner of Reavie's Pharmacy and co-chair of the Russell Main Street Revitalization committee.
The group has plans to arch every intersection on Main Street, followed by the Main Street store fronts undergoing a number of facelifts all focused on an old world theme.
"The architecture is just one piece of the plan," Guillas explains, "developing and growing the festivals and events we currently host, attracting and establishing many more boutique style businesses to Main Street and creating an overall visitor experience within every business and attraction that will leave guests planning to return. and wanting to bring their friends."
Entrepreneurs Wanted
Carpenters,
Contractors
Rustic/European Furniture
Motor sports dealers
French boutique clothing store
German Boutique clothing store
Ukrainian cultural store,
Dutch store (Selected)
Icelandic store,
English Import shop
European Meat shop,
Christmas Store
Wine Merchant,
Chocolate Shop
New & Used book store
Ebay office,
Cappa House with Desserts
Funky sport store
(featuring downhill equipment, cycling, skate boarding and fly fishing)
Agri Tourism,
Bird Watching Guide
Camping & Hiking supplies
Decorating Store (Selected)
(to decorate 600 cottages)
Golf Store,
Movie Theatre, Arcade & Retail store
European Bistro,
Casual Dining House
Mini Golf & Water Amusement Park
Cheese Store,
Alpen Haud Gifts
A Netherlands Gift House
A Fur Trader,
The Leather Shop
The Hat Shop,
The Woodcarvers,
Art House
Aboriginal Art & Cultural Store
The Music Box,
Old Time Photo,
The English Photo
The Quilting Shop,
Sweet Dreams-The Candy Store
The Local Mercantile
Financial Support Available
Asessippi Parkland Economic Development Corporation is your first stop for information & assistance on programs and services for new businesses.
Their Community Development Loan Program can provide up to $10,000 to new or expanding businesses over a 5 year term. They can also provide information and referral on a number of programs and services including those listed below. For more information call 204-773-4792 or check out their website
at http://www.asessippiparkland.com/aboutourservices.html.
Rural Entrepreneurial Assistance (REA): This Provincial Government program
provides loan guarantees of $10,000 to $100,000 for new or expanding rural businesses. Further information can be accessed through your financial institution or at http://www.masc.mb.ca/
Business Start: Provides a $20,000 loan guarantee program, entrepreneurial
training and individual consulting services. Contact 1-800-665-2019 or www.manitoba.ca/gb for further information.
Young Entrepreneur Program: For entrepreneurs age 18 to 29, this program
can provide a business grant of up to $4,000 towards the start up of a
full-time business as well as a skill development grant of up to $1,000.
Information & applications are available at the Asessippi Parkland Economic
Development Office or http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/Employers/YoungEntrepreneurs.html.
