Neighbourhood Revitalization Project - Downtown Sarnia and Mitton Village

The City of Sarnia’s Neighbourhood Revitalization Project is an initiative funded in part by Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The project aims to enhance the areas of Downtown and Mitton Village by identifying opportunities for improvements to public space, marketing and promoting the areas, and providing business development services. We hope to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem to attract businesses to the areas, as well as help existing local businesses thrive.

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Project Details

Action Planning The project began by updating the areas' business inventories, compiling historical and archival data on the areas, and hosting community engagement events. The project team then hosted a series of public consultations, digital surveys, and pop-ups over the past few months to gather input from residents, businesses, and organizations in these areas. The feedback was compiled into an action plan for short-term activation initiatives and longer-term strategic planning priorities for the revitalization of these areas. To read the NRP action plan, click the button found below.

What areas are included in the project? Downtown Sarnia and Mitton Village, as defined in the City's Community Improvement Plan, are the focus areas for this project.

NRP Action Plan 2024-2025

The NRP Action Plan sets out the goals and actions that will be executed over the remainder of the Neighbourhood Revitalization Project. The short-term and immediate actions will be prioritized. Longer term actions will be pursued beyond the scope of the project where funding and resources are available. To view and download a copy of the NRP Action Plan, click the button below.

Read the Report

NRP Management Committee

OMAFRA's Downtown Revitalization Program recommends the establishment of a management committee to advise on the project work plan and activities and to assist with analyzing the wants and needs of businesses in the downtown area. Representatives of businesses in the Downtown and Mitton Village and business support agencies were invited to participate on the committee. The members are:

Sarah Reaume, Chief Executive Officer - Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation
Keeley McMullin, Committee Member – First Friday
Nicole Warner, Owner - That’s What She Grows
Joshua Walters, Owner – Maud’s Variety
Ethan Paxton, Economic Development Coordinator - City of Sarnia
Kelly Provost, Director of Economic Development - City of Sarnia

For more information about the Neighbourhood Revitalization Project, please contact Ethan Paxton, Economic Development Coordinator, at ethan.paxton@sarnia.ca or 519-332-0330 ext. 3266.