Municipality of Yarmouth has six priorities in action plan
Ten other strategic action items included in documents
The Municipality of Yarmouth has lined up six priorities it will be pursuing during the next two years in its recently completed strategic action item register.
The documents evolved from a day-and-a-half-long session with municipal council and senior staff. An external facilitator, Carolyn Marshall of Marshall Consulting, was engaged to assist with the process.
The plan was presented by Marshall at the municipal council’s Nov. 14 committee of the whole meeting.
The priorities, in no particular order, are: rural Internet, business park, airport, Mariners Centre, Cape Forchu Lighthouse property and active transportation.
Rural Internet was selected as a priority to support business and economic development, drive population growth, provide an equitable level of service for citizens and to leverage the infrastructure installed to improve cellphone service for resident safety and convenience.
The business park made the list as it will provide serviced lots to attract new businesses, support future economic growth and increase employment. The site development plan for the business park has been completed.
The airport helps to support regional economic development, provides a faster air transport option, attracts new economic activity (business, tourists) and protects citizen safety by providing 24/7 access for medical, coast guard services.
The current interim manager will be leaving Nov. 30 and a proposal to maintain the viability of the airport has been presented to the Yarmouth International Airport Commission. A decision was made to have a facilitated discussion about options.
“We’ve identified that it continues to be a priority for you and other ideas include marketing it to charter airlines to increase tourism traffic and contracting a consultant to attract business to the airport,” said Marshall.
Another priority, the Mariners Centre, is having a complete review of programming, operations and capital by a group of nine (comprised of CAOs, wardens, and deputies from each of the three affected municipalities - town and municipalities of Yarmouth and Argyle).
For the Cape Forchu lighthouse, the municipality is focused on maintaining the capital asset in good condition to attract tourists and tourist revenue to the area. Improvements have been made to the restaurant, gift shop and other areas and items identified for future investment include lighthouse refurbishment and ramp.
The CAO, under direction from council, is reviewing operations at the lighthouse and the community lease arrangement.
Active transportation is the last priority on the list. The item involves investing in design upgrades and development to create a connected network of multi-use trails, bike lanes and sidewalks. The top three areas are Lake Milo, the airport stretch and route to Cape Forchu.