WIN THIS SPACE BURK'S FALLS

Entrepreneurship is the backbone of small-town communities and their downtown cores. For communities, maintaining the strength and vitality of the downtown is an ongoing economic development challenge as demographics change, economies globalize and online availability surge all fundamentally shifting customer expectations.

The continuity of small-town economies is everyone’s responsibility. A solid customer base, municipal supports, non-profit business supports, and the entrepreneur spirit are vital. Stakeholders must come together to find solutions to reinvent rural downtown business environments and to create a sense of community and place.  

The Win This Space competition throughout Canada was developed to address two common challenges. First, to foster local entrepreneurship, and second, to fill storefront vacancies. 

What is Win This Space

Win This Space (WTS) is a business recruitment initiative that encourages and inspires local residents to explore their dream of entrepreneurship and equips participants with the tools and skills needed to open a business in a downtown storefront. 

WTS incorporates a starting vision, business plan development/training and a pitch event to showcase an actionable business for the winner. The grand prize each participant is striving for is a one-year, rent free storefront. 

“WTS is not just about filling empty spaces, it’s about people inspiring other people. It’s about helping to fulfill someone’s dream to become an entrepreneur” Sari Pandopulos, Uxbridge BIA, birthplace of WTS. 

Win This Space Burk’s Falls is possible because of partnerships with Almaguin Community Economic Development (ACED), NECO Community Futures Development Corporation (NECO), The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound (TBC), and Women’s Own Resource Centre (WORC). 

Resources for building your business plan:

TBC Business Plan Guide

TBC Business Plan Model Canvas

S.A.F.E Business Idea Evaluation