Full Podcast: https://lovethenorth.ca/article/260920-sudbury-ward-10-derek-young Ward 10 candidate Derek Young says the major construction happening downtown may be part of long-term redevelopment — but right now, some small local businesses are paying a very immediate price. Young points to independent businesses on and around Elgin Street that have had access restricted by construction, making it harder for customers to get in and harder for delivery drivers to reach them. In one example, he says a business had a large excavation directly in front of its entrance for much of the summer, severely limiting access. He says the impact can go beyond inconvenience. If SkipTheDishes or other delivery drivers cannot reach a restaurant, that business can lose an entire revenue stream. If customers see fencing, holes, detours and limited parking, some simply go somewhere else. Young says one downtown business was pushed to crowdsourcing just to help cover rent after losing revenue during construction. That raises an important question: **How do we rebuild downtown without putting the existing small businesses out of business in the process?** Young is proposing a downtown construction mitigation program, modelled in part on Brampton, that could provide financial assistance to independent businesses affected by major City construction. The support could help cover operating expenses, marketing, or changes needed to keep businesses functioning while access is disrupted. **Construction may be temporary, but losing a local business can be permanent.** If the City is investing heavily in downtown revitalization, Young’s argument is that protecting the businesses already there has to be part of that investment too. #Sudbury #DerekYoung #Ward10 #DowntownSudbury #SmallBusiness #Construction #SupportLocal #EconomicDevelopment #CityHall #GreaterSudbury #NorthernOntario #LoveTheNorth