Wrenford's newly elected City Council holds its inaugural meeting today at Wrenford City Hall, marking the official start of the 2023–2027 term. Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price and the six newly elected ward councillors will outline a new agenda that places economic resilience and small business support at the centre of the next four years.
The council's economic priorities include expanding the Economic Development team to assist local entrepreneurs, streamlining the business licensing process to reduce wait times, and launching a new grants program for downtown storefront improvements. The city will also work with the Downtown Wrenford Business Improvement Area to host more community events that draw shoppers to the core.
"Wrenford has always been a city built by the river, but our economy needs to be built by the people who live here and work here," said Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price. "We are committed to making it easier for new business owners to open their doors and for existing companies to grow. Our focus is on practical support, faster approvals, and keeping our commercial corridors vibrant."
To support these goals, the City will introduce the Wrenford Small Business Mentorship Programme next spring. This initiative will pair new entrepreneurs with experienced local business owners to share knowledge and navigate municipal requirements. The council will also review the draft budget and economic strategy at its second meeting in December.
In the meantime, if you own a business, you can visit the Economic Development office or contact the team online to learn about upcoming incentives and grant opportunities. Residents who want to start a business can find step-by-step guides and check zoning rules through the Start a business guide.
For more information on how the City supports local commerce, visit the Business section of our website.