by Karina Hunter

Stephanie Ash begins her presentation "Marketing on a shoestring budget".

A group of approximately 40 people including business owners, council members and township representatives met Wednesday morning at  Township of Manitouwadge Council Chambers for Thunder Bay entrepreneur Stephanie Ash’s Marketing on a shoe string budget presentation.  Manitouwadge businesses, having been challenged with downsizing in the mining and forestry sectors and the closure of their only hotel, were very interested in the options for low and no cost advertising, innovative marketing strategies and co-operative business ideas Ash, founder of Firedog Communications Inc., introduced during her 60 minute  presentation.

Funded by the Community Economic Development Commission and  Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre, the informative session served also as a prelude to Manitouwadge Economic Development Officer Dave Raymond’s consultation regarding the development of a Business Association.  Raymond successfully tied many of the Ash’s key marketing strategies into his presentation preparing the group for positive discussion and progression towards the creation of a Manitouwadge Business Association (MBA).  Raymond and Manitouwadge EDA Karen Robinson provided a survey from which they will help determine a mandate for the association to be formalized at its next meeting in January.  “The turnout of local businesses was fantastic, from the 27 represented we received a clear indication that they are interested in forming the MBA” said Raymond adding that “Working together is integral in moving forward and creating an
atmosphere of economic growth for our community”.  Business owner and EDC Board Member Bob Kirkpatrick seemed to agree, during Ash’s presentation he encouraged those in attendance towards co-operative action saying that “It [MBA] will be successful if the whole [business] community is working together”.

Raymond encourages businesses having yet to voice their opinions to attend the first official gathering of the MBA at their next business breakfast being held in January.  

Ash commented that Manitouwadge had the best turnout of business owners she had seen in a small community.