The Town of Hudson will hold a public meeting to discuss the revival of the Société de developpement commercial (SDC) at the Stephen F. Shaar Community Centre, 394 Main Road, on August 21 at 7 p.m.

Mayor Chloe Hutchison made the announcement during the start of the monthly council meeting on Monday, August 7. She said a public presentation regarding council's progress on tools the town has prepared for the revival of the SDC will be revealed.

"I will be presenting the work that we have done to date, the tools and the next steps that we will propose to the merchants in support of this revival. We are inviting anyone who is interested to attend," said Hutchison.

"It is important that those in support of this SDC relaunch be present and listen to the external consultant who will help accompany us through the next steps," she added. 

Hutchison said the consultant has extensive experience running SDCs and helping merchant communities come together to establish their priorities.

"It's important to note the next steps will be fully up to the merchant community to come together and to gather their priorities and action plan for the following year," said Hutchison.

The mayor said the reason the town is taking this initiative now given the short time frame is to not miss out on the 2024 season or subsidy support from the town. 

"Of course this process for the next steps takes a longer period and we will certainly adopt these steps as they become ready. There's no special rush on our end. We're just trying to take the most time and the best way to provide availability and support," said Hutchison. 

She added the next steps will be totally up to the merchant community to come together, gather their priorities and present them at the public meeting.