The County of Brant wants to make improvements in St. George and Burford and are asking the community for their input.

Members of the community and local business owners are invited to see what the county’s consultant is proposing and to make suggestions.

The Community Improvement Plan Open House for Burford is on Thursday, March 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Burford Community Centre on Potter Drive in the Mary Lowes meeting room.

St. George’s Open House is on Wednesday, March 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the South Dumfries Community Centre on Gaukel Drive in room 7.

“We want to build on our heritage by preserving and exhibiting historical character and support a vibrant, mixed-use downtown,” Alison Newton, general manager of economic development and tourism said.

A Community Improvement Plan helps bring downtown business owners and the county together to revitalize and refresh the downtown core.

This financial incentive program will allow business owners to potentially receive up to 50 per cent of funds back after their project is completed.

A Community Improvement Plan program was launched in Paris in 2015 and since then five businesses have participated in the program and four more are in the planning stages.

“All of our communities are so unique in their own way. St. George is reminiscent of old-British character and Burford is full of country charm,” said Newton.

By taking advantage of this program, the downtowns will create more opportunities for tourism and business development; attracting more people and encouraging the communities to continue to thrive.”

For more information on the Community Improvement Plan contact Heather Madden at the County of Brant at 519.442.6324 x 3039 or e-mail Heather.Madden@Brant.ca.