It's been a fresh year for Downtown Okotoks in 2016 as Carrie Fischer says her year in review has been mostly about the branding and marketing projects revolving around Okotoks' Downtown Core.

Fischer says that her biggest accomplishment was moving ahead on down town branding campaigns.

"My biggest achievement this year was probably the branding." Fischer adds "Just moving ahead a little more on the branding and getting that boot-camp done. Also, strategizing a little bit on how to implement and how to go forward."

Of course all of this takes time!  When you're excited about a plan or a project, it seems to take longer to come to fruition! 

"Every year that I'm in this job I learn patience. Sometimes things don't seem to move as fast as sometimes we would like them too as residents, community members, and councillors even."

Fischer now says she is patiently waiting for the new year, she is excited to implement some of the branding projects that she has been so diligently working on, and is excited to work with businesses in the core, to keep continually improving the town's centre and attractions, she's got a lot of exciting ideas and events for downtown that she's hoping will attract new visitors and improve the local experience.

"I'm looking forward to working with the community, and the downtown business community on implementing and beginning implementation of branding and really creating an experience downtown that is attractive to residents and people outside the community as well."

2017 promises to be a new start for most businesses in hopes that profits and traffic will climb.  A new marketing strategy for Downtown Okotoks will hopefully point Okotoks as a weekend destination for folks from Calgary to escape, relax and experience Okotoks as we residents know it - a charming and vibrant community.