I’m very pleased to share that Council formally adopted our new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan on October 19, 2026.

In previous editions of this newsletter, I have discussed two of the five strategic priorities contained in the plan – Growing Calmar, Preserving Our Way of Life; and Community Well-being and Recreation. The next one on the list is Economic Prosperity and Opportunity.

For Council, this strategic priority is about creating favourable conditions for local businesses to thrive, showcasing our community’s strengths to attract new investment, and ensuring responsible growth so that Calmar continues to be a place where families, entrepreneurs, and employers can grow together.

What excites me most about this priority is that it provides clear direction and accountability. It moves us from talking about economic growth to actively planning for it.

Over the coming months, Council and Administration will begin advancing initiatives that support business retention and attraction, promote commercial and industrial growth opportunities, and showcase the many advantages of choosing Calmar as a place to do business.

This formal work began during the previous Council term, and we are already seeing positive momentum. If you’ve driven through downtown recently, you’ve likely noticed the new building taking shape on Main Street. This investment is an exciting sign of confidence in our community, and I look forward to welcoming new businesses to the downtown core in the months ahead.

This article is being written in the middle of Small Business Week, and it is a great reminder for us that every dollar spent locally helps strengthen our community. Our local businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, supporting community organizations through donations and volunteers, sponsoring events, and contributing to the small-town character we value so deeply. Please take the opportunity to support our local businesses whenever you are able.

Economic prosperity does not happen by accident. It happens when a community works together to support local success and create opportunities for the future.

I am excited about the road ahead and the all the possibilities it will bring for Calmar, and for everyone who call our beautiful community home.

– Mayor Krista Gardner