City asked to support newcomer businesses

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A volunteer organization that helps newcomers adjust to life in Moncton is asking the city for funding to help small businesses get started.

Ketal Raval, chief volunteer with the Moncton Cares organization, made a presentation to city council Monday, saying that thousands of newcomers arrive each year and many of them start businesses that create jobs and contribute to the economy. The Moncton Cares group has already organized special events like exercise, dance and yoga classes at various schools. The want to set up newcomer markets where small businesses getting started could make their first sales and network with potential customers.

“Sometimes newcomers want to start a business but they’re not ready or they don’t have enough resources, so they start with a website or online store,” Raval said in an interview after the council meeting. He said newcomer entrepreneurs need help to get started to overcome challenges, including language barriers. However, many newcomers bring new skills and products to the community, from food to dance classes. Some have also purchased franchises to set up here.

“Sometimes they are not ready to start full time and will start from home and grow from there, and we want to help them become a full-time entrepreneur,” Raval said. “A lot of big businesses got their start on a table or in a garage.”

They plan to start by offering table spaces at different spaces where people are already gathering for other event, where they can sell or promote their products.

The request for funding was forwarded to city staff for consideration.

• Another public hearing will be held May 6 for the proposed rezoning of land on the Whitfield Trites Road for the Pioneer Estate Winery. The winery is already established with a vineyard and production facility but wants to expand to host events like wine tastings and wedding receptions. During a public hearing on Feb. 5, several residents spoke against the application. One of the main concerns is that the winery had its own septic system, which could affect surrounding residential water wells. Another concern was about noise from the proposed event space. Those concerns have been addressed in a new proposal to expand the city’s urban boundary, which would allow the winery to connect with the city’s sanitary sewer system to prevent impact on nearby wells.

• Council voted Monday to set a public hearing for May 21 for a proposal from Aubrey Morrell to rezone a property at 680 Salisbury Road to suburban commercial to enable the parking area of an existing auto dealership.

• City council approved a contract worth $164,950 to Trace Planning and Design for a Riverfront Master Plan. The master plan will look at future development along the riverfront, which is an important part of the downtown and where many events are held.

• Council approved funding of $60,240 for upgrades to the electrical system at the Moncton Coliseum.

• Deputy Mayor Shawn Crossman chaired Tuesday’s meeting as Mayor Dawn Arnold was absent. In his remarks, Crossman thanked the community for messages of condolences on the March 27 death of his mother, Eileen. Her husband, Norman Crossman, served on Moncton city council for 40 years and died March 27, 2008.