Building On Common Ground: New Group Supporting Projects That Enhance Growth in Mississippi Mills
Introduction:
Mississippi Mills is truly an inspiring place to live. There are community champions in our midst taking on exciting projects with a commitment to make Mississippi Mills even more magical. I would like to share a bit of background and an update on what has transpired over the last 16 months.
How it came to be:
“Building On Common Ground”, (BOCG) is an initiative that sprung from a Learning Again in Almonte community symposium that occurred in November 2024. The vision and key goal for BOCG is the following: “BOCG works in collaboration with all Mississippi Mills stakeholders to create projects & initiatives that enhance the growth of MM with intention and integrity.”
How we moved forward:
Throughout 2025 we held collaborative meetings with municipal representatives and staff to help identify, and update strategic vision activities for our community.
We held regular meetings with BOCG committee members and stakeholders to generate and identify initiatives that would enrich our community.
We partnered with Learning Again in Almonte (LAIA) who offer learning opportunities that align with the identified initiatives so that our community champions could be more informed and empowered. This inviting and collaborative approach inspired people to share their ideas and identify a framework for action.
Where we are now:
Current Projects:
- Secondary Dwelling Units (SDU)- A team of local citizens working with Mississippi Mills to fully understand the SDU guidelines, researching other jurisdictions and using current local case studies to support SDUs, providing more accessible housing options to our community. This initiative has been taken on in very practical, supportive ways by the Municipality. The next step to consider is an education piece to be initiated by Learning Again In Almonte.
- Mississippi Mills Welcome Team- a volunteer outreach based project to foster a sense of belonging and community for newcomers by providing them with essential resources, information, and connections to local businesses, services, and people, helping them integrate smoothly into the MM community. The goal of this initiative is to overcome the anxiety of starting in a new place and establish a positive connection from the outset. In addition, newcomers are encouraged to share their ideas and/or expertise to the Mississippi Mills community.
Early Stage Projects:
- Rebound Closure in Mississippi Mills- What’s Next? – A small committee has formed to take an indepth look at what type of reuse model could evolve now that the Rebound is closed. We are collaborating with our municipality, exploring other reuse centers around the county (and beyond) and engaging our community by writing inspiring and informative articles that explore the components of the reuse model. .
- One Mississippi River Restoration Project- A small committee (including MVFN, MM Youth Centre, Indigenous community members, conservation authority, etc) has formed to spark a friendly challenge to communities living within the Mississippi watershed. The goal is to inspire each community to take concrete action and propose potential solutions to local issues on the Mississippi River. Events could range from River cleanups, to municipal and county remediation projects, to individual citizen and group proposals to mitigate current and future challenges the Mississippi and its communities will face.
Conditions are more important now that Minto’s Weavers Way is underway. We want to broadcast that Mississippi Mills is a friendly town that is inviting, collaborative and innovative. Supporting new community members that move to Weavers Way is a part of why BOCG exists and that there are opportunities to be a part of our collective strategic vision.
By posting articles in the Humm and Millstone we wish to activate and invite ideas into the collaborative space.
Join the conversation in person at our next meeting on April 23rd 7pm-9pm at the Mississippi Mills Library.
Please confirm your attendance by sending an email to: buildingoncommonground@gmail.com
