Torre, Interim CAO; and Kevin Martin, Deputy Mayor. Martin highlights Vermilion’s charm and appeal: “We’re a nice small community along Highway 16 and 41, between oil country and agriculture. With a population of 4,000, we offer a clean, unique downtown and are one of the few towns with a provincial park touching our borders. Lakeland College, an integral part of our town, brings in 1,400 students annually, adding diversity and vibrancy to our community.” Outdoor amenities are a significant draw for both residents and visitors. Martin elaborates, “We have extensive trails throughout our provincial park and town, an airport that draws people from all over, two rinks, and a curling rink. Our agricultural society hosts a three-day fair that attracts over 30,000 people.” REVITALIZING THE DOWNTOWN CORE The heartbeat of Vermilion lies in its downtown area, where entrepreneurial spirit thrives. Martin explains, “Our downtown is home to great entrepreneurs and business owners who have restored many historic buildings, keeping our downtown core strong and unique. We have a retail development incentive program that supports new businesses, offering financial assistance for leasehold improvements, which has been immensely successful in filling retail gaps.” Prior elaborates on this initiative,“Even though we’re a small community, we act like a little city. Our retail development incentive program, which has been running for about eight years, has resulted in over 40 new business licenses in the last three to five years. We identify retail gaps and offer up to $15,000 for leasehold improvements, significantly supporting new businesses.” The downtown area is not just about commercial activities; it is Vermilion’s cultural and social hub. The town hosts several annual events that unite the community and attract visitors. For instance, the “Taste of Vermilion” is a popular event that showcases local cuisine and culinary talent. “Our events are designed to highlight the best of Vermilion and to provide residents and visitors with memorable experiences,” says Prior. INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Vermilion’s commitment to economic growth extends to industrial development. Prior explains,“We have an industrial development incentive program offering up to $20,000 for leasehold improvements. Our proactive councils have developed two industrial parks, and in the last four months, we’ve sold over 50% of our fully developed land. We’re attracting 307 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 VERMILION, AB
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx