From fundraising events to closed businesses, the municipality of Chatham-Kent has seen a lot happen in 2016.
Blackburn News spoke with Mayor Randy Hope to talk about some of this year's highlights.
Hope says the municipality has been working to become more known to the provincial government. One way of doing that was to host a tour with members of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture earlier this year.
"We're on the radar," says Hope. "We're on people's thoughts [and] they like what they see."
The municipality has also been building relationships with political leaders in other countries.
"I get a lot of criticism for my travel but it's nice when you know that you're getting calls from companies around the world," says Hope. "We want countries to know who we are and what we produce here because it is a way to create jobs."
What can we expect in 2017?
"I'm looking forward to more extensive conversations around the memorandum of understanding that was signed with Peru," says Hope. "We're beginning that process."In terms of local businesses, Hope says there are some possibilities in the new year.
"I think you'll see hopefully some more companies establishing themselves in Chatham-Kent," he says. "I believe you will [also] see more businesses having applications to expand their current workforce."
Hope adds the municipality has been focused on several areas and now it's just about tying up loose ends.
