The Listowel BIA have launched their 2020 Win This Space contest.
At a meet-and-greet reveal this morning at the North Perth municipal office, applications were officially opened for this year's contest which will award a new business with commercial space in Listowel. BIA Coordinator Lisa Schaefer said the 2018 contest was very successful, and they're looking to carry that forward for this year.
"We just have a lot of momentum and the community is doing really well from a business perspective. We're also growing, and so it's a really great place to be and have your business, but also to live and play," she said.
Applications for Win This Space in Listowel are available online at DiscoverListowel.com with applications being taken until Friday, April 3.
Listowel BIA Chair and local business owner Sean Eaton said on top of the business that wins the contest, which awards retail space in Listowel and many other start-up perks, other participants gain valuable knowledge, as well.
"There's more winners than just who wins the competition. The BIA puts this program together so that all the participants are going to learn the skills that are required for their business to succeed should they choose, or if they have the opportunity to go forward with their business," said Eaton.
Schaefer said on top of the contest winner, the contest encourages other businesses to come to the area, as well. Many new businesses were opened and came to Listowel following the success of the 2018 Win This Space contest.
"They just really liked what Listowel was, how it felt, how the community of the Municipality of North Perth was, and they chose to bring their business and also move here to Listowel, and I think that's another thing we're really excited about," said Schaefer.
Following the application process, the Listowel BIA will then select 25 applicants to begin the business training sessions for five weeks, and the finale will be held and the winner announced on June 10.
CKNX reporter Ryan Drury, centre, interviews Listowel BIA Chair and local business owner Sean Eaton, left, and BIA Coordinator and Win This Space Cooridnator Lisa Schaefer, right, following the official opening of the 2020 Win This Space contest in Listowel at the North Perth Municipal Office. March 4th, 2020 (Photo by Tanya Merner)