Ramara, Ont. / Oct. 6, 2026 – The Township of Ramara is inviting residents, property owners and local businesses to help shape its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Strategy through a Community Survey, Business Survey, Public Open House and focused business engagement sessions this November. Feedback will help the Township explore tools and incentives to support local businesses, encourage investment and strengthen communities across Ramara.

“Ramara has a diverse business community, from small and home-based businesses to agriculture, tourism and large industry serving residents and visitors,” said Mayor Basil Clarke. “We want to hear directly from the people who know our local economy best about what is working, where there are challenges and what opportunities they see for the future. That input will help us develop a strategy that reflects Ramara and supports continued investment in our community.”

There are several ways to get involved and provide feedback throughout the project.

Community Survey
Residents, property owners and other community members are invited to complete the Community Survey and share their perspectives on economic development, investment and opportunities to strengthen Ramara’s communities.

Business Survey
Local business owners and operators are encouraged to complete a short Business Survey. The survey will help the project team better understand the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in Ramara, as well as the types of supports and incentives that could help businesses grow and invest in the community.

Both surveys are available online until Nov. 13, 2026, at ramara.ca/CIP.

Public Open House

Residents are encouraged to drop in to a Public Open House at the Ramara Centre, 5548 Highway 12, Atherley, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to meet the project team, learn about Community Improvement Plans and about the CIP Strategy project, ask questions and share their ideas.

Business Engagement Sessions

The Township and Vitality Planning will host a series of focused business engagement sessions on Nov. 5 and 6, 2026, at the Ramara Centre. These sessions will provide an opportunity for local businesses to share their experiences, identify barriers and opportunities, and discuss potential tools and incentives that could form part of a future Community Improvement Plan.

Sessions will focus on:

·        Small businesses

·        Home-based businesses

·        Agri-business, rural businesses and agri-tourism

Businesses can register for a focused engagement session at ramara.ca/CIP. The Township will also be reaching out directly to businesses across Ramara to encourage participation in the Business Survey and focused sessions.

About the Community Improvement Plan Strategy Project

The development of a Community Improvement Plan has been identified as an economic development priority for Ramara for several years. It was identified as an action in the Township’s 2018–2023 Economic Development Strategy and recommended again through economic development work completed with Georgian College in 2025. The current project also builds on previous CIP work completed in 2023 and community and business feedback gathered in 2025.

A Community Improvement Plan is a municipal planning tool that can be used to encourage investment and improvements. Through the CIP Strategy project, the Township will explore how these tools could support local businesses, strengthen tourism, improve properties and enhance communities across Ramara, including potential incentive programs and other tools to encourage local investment.

Feedback gathered through the surveys and engagement sessions will help inform the development of a draft CIP Strategy, which will be shared for further consultation before a final strategy is presented to Council for consideration in early 2027.

To learn more about the CIP Strategy project, complete a survey or register for a focused business engagement session, visit ramara.ca/CIP.

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Media Contact
Melissa Gowanlock
Manager of Communications & Community Experience
705-484-5374 ext. 322
mgowanlock@ramara.ca