Ford City launches 'I Wish This Was' campaign to attract business

The Ford City Neighbourhood Renewal Group has initiated a unique business attraction campaign it hopes will stick with people.

On Tuesday the group launched the "I Wish This Was" campaign. The group will place stickers, similar to large, blank name tags, on vacant storefronts and vacant lots in the Ford City Neighbourhood.

Residents and neighbours are asked to fill in the blank. As an example, someone may have the tag read "I wish this was a caf."

T.J. Auer of Ford CityNeighbourhood Renewal says the idea came from an urban planner in New Orleans.

Auer says the top requests, so far, are for a dollar store, Tim Hortons or restaurant.

He says the group wants to combat the perception that Ford City is unsafe and not economically viable.

The Ford City Business Improvement Association will use the information and suggestions to attract new businesses to the area and let landlords know what, exactly, the community wants in the empty spaces.

The I Wish This Was Campaign targets sites in the 1000 block of Drouillard Road.

The stickers will be at the sites through May.