Municipality of Kincardine Hosts Business Networking Event, Speakers Share Ideas to Advance Inclusion in the Community

Posted Tuesday May 17, 2022

Posted By: Jessie McGibbon

Category: General,Blog,General

On Monday, May 16, the Municipality of Kincardine hosted a Business Networking Event at the Davidson Centre, focusing on inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).

The event was attended by an engaged group of business owners and community groups, all interested in learning more about advancing inclusion and accessibility in local businesses.

Sharon Woods, Chair of the Kincardine Accessibility Advisory Committee (KAAC), and Jennifer Lawrie, Clerk and KAAC staff support, presented actions businesses can take to increase accessibility. The Stop Gap program, for example, provides free portable ramps to local businesses who have a single step entrance, opening access to many individuals who may otherwise have been unable to enter.

Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, provided an overview of the IDEA strategy and summarized what’s been heard through the associated community consultation to date: “Many identified local businesses as key to inclusion. They are the welcoming face of the community. Learning about ways to be more inclusive is so important to move forward in this learning journey of inclusion in our community.”

Cherie Leslie, Community Economic Development Coordinator, provided an update on economic development programs, including the development of a Housing Action Plan. Leslie also provided a brief overview of grants and resources of interest to the business community.

For more information on the Municipality’s IDEA work, visit www.kincardine.ca/IDEA.