We know that our local businesses contribute to economic growth, innovation, job creation, quality of life, community services, and overall community wellbeing. 

Downtowns in every community help contribute to economic growth, attracting businesses, tourists, and residents, while contributing to job creation, fostering entrepreneurship and providing for increased tax revenues. Downtown areas often act as a cultural hub, hosting museums, theaters, and galleries, and unique and boutique businesses. They serve as gathering places where people can meet, socialize, and participate in community events, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit, while promoting walkability and accessibility. Medicine Hat in particular has a beautiful historical downtown with many landmarks that have been preserved and celebrated. We know that a lively downtown can enhance the overall quality of life by providing amenities such as parks, restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.

We also recognize that downtowns face several significant challenges today, including:

1. Economic Shifts: The rise of remote work, online retail and delivery service, has reduced the demand for commercial space, leading to higher vacancy rates and decreased foot traffic.
2. Homelessness and Safety Concerns: Increasing rates of homelessness and perceptions of crime can deter people from visiting downtown areas, impacting local businesses and the overall vibrancy of these spaces.
3. Infrastructure and Maintenance: Aging infrastructure and the high costs associated with maintaining and upgrading it can be a burden for cities and businesses, affecting the attractiveness and functionality of downtown areas.
4. Environmental Challenges: Downtowns often face environmental issues and the need for sustainable development practices, which often add costs to upgrade buildings or meet new code requirements.
5. Competition: Suburban areas with modern amenities and lower costs can draw businesses and residents away from downtowns, leading to a decline in city centers.

Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions and collaboration between public and private sectors to reimagine and revitalize downtown areas.

So what's being worked on in Medicine Hat:

1. The Medicine Hat Public Library started a Casual Cash program and will partner with business owners to identify jobs, and provide individuals in transition the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work and help with garbage/debris cleanup around their business.
2. Discussions have occurred about legislation that could be changed to prevent reoccurring and disruptive or violent behaviour from continuing. (Update February 24, 2025: the Provincial Government is laying the foundation for compassionate intervention and continuing its work to develop compassionate intervention legislation. If passed, that legislation would allow family members, guardians, health care professionals, police or peace officers to request an addiction treatment order for Albertans who are a danger to themselves or others due to their addiction or substance use. The goal is to provide stabilization, assessment and treatment so Albertans can successfully transition to community supports, such as a recovery community, to continue their recovery journey. Find out more)
3. The Medicine Hat Police has approved additional police officers for downtown, with requests going to the province for a per capita funding model similar to other urban centres. There was also a request for a security camera within the 2025-2026 City Budget. The Chamber has also offered our support of this initiative and any assistance they may need in advocating for this. 
4. The Medicine Hat Police created the PEACE team to address encampments within the community.
5. We continue to encourage businesses to get the free consultation from the Police on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and we are advocating for funding so that businesses can implement the recommendations provided. 
6. We have advocated to City Hall about solutions for downtown and as a result Councillor Robins did put forward a motion to explore a Downtown Enhancement Grant Program in February 2024 with plans to see this rolled out in 2025.
7. We have attended and circulated information and reports from the Community Housing Society that outline issues, actions and responsibilities: https://mhchs.ca/. 
8. We organized a Medicine Hat Police InfoSession on April 18 with the Downtown patrol unit: https://youtu.be/Lp2Ff7wKBj8?si=kdU8cthUIBQSXhcp and the Downtown Strategy was shared. 
9. We hosted an open house with the Salvation Army to facilitate a Q & A for businesses with information and resources shared. 
10. We created a Marketing & Promotions Subcommittee who was managing the marketing for downtown - they created a map, we had a website landing page and social media. In addition, there were billboards purchased to promote the downtown. We were pleased that Tourism Medicine Hat has committed to continuing their promotion of downtown as one of their strategic tourism locations.
11. We have organized events downtown including Chilli Cookoff and Midnight Madness and have helped promote a few downtown socials for businesses downtown to create a social gathering place downtown.
12. We have conducted surveys on priorities and plans for downtown businesses and our business community.
13. We have discussed options in meetings with the MLA’s offices about next steps and engagement with the business community to help address concerns that have surfaced.
14. We have participated and provided feedback into the City Community Wellness plan.
15. We will be a member of the new Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force that was approved by council on February 3, 2025.
16. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently approved a policy on supporting communities in managing crime, homelessness and property damage at their February 2025 Board meeting. 

We have also consolidated a list of resources including:

1. Downtown Patrol Unit and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: https://medicinehatdistrictchamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/P36oeelp - this is a free service provided by the Medicine Hat Police to come and assess your building for potential improvements to prevent crime.
2. Medicine Hat Police Crime Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/71cffa71d1af49b7902990eba513c1b6?org=CityMedicineHat, so you can see the hotspots and information. 
3. Needle Debris Program: If you find a needle or any substance use debris, leave a message at (403) 866-4698 or email medicinehat@safelinkalberta.ca. Find out more: https://safelinkalberta.ca/outreach-needle-debris/
4. Medicine Hat Community Housing: What to Do If resources: https://mhchs.ca/what-to-do-if-and-we-can-help/ 
5. Proactive Engagement and Community Enhancement Team (PEACE): https://www.mhps.ca/posts/post/9003 
6. Community Summit Reports from the Medicine Hat Community Housing website. https://mhchs.ca/ that also outline actions and responsibilities

We know there is still much work to be done, but our hope is that we can help communicate that there is work happening behind the scenes to move things forward.