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Issue 69: AIRO Newsletter September 3, 2021
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RURAL RENAISSANCE: How Canada's Oldest Town Reinvented itself
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We know it can seem like AIRO just came out of nowhere trying to secure the longevity and economic development of our community...but this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in Annapolis Royal and it won’t be the last.


What are we talking about?!
In the late 1970s, the town of Annapolis Royal had pretty much gone to rack and ruin – most of the downtown business district was dilapidated and many buildings were vacant. To an outsider looking in, it likely looked like it was beyond repair. But, it didn’t look that way to many of the local people and with their help, the Annapolis Royal Development Commission was born.
 
Things that are now the backbone of our community either didn’t exist – like the Historic Gardens – or appeared to be in danger of being condemned – like King’s Theatre or what would become the Sinclair Inn Museum.
 
It took an incredible amount of volunteerism and community pride along with some very thick skin and an unwillingness to fail to bring the projects of the Annapolis Royal Development Commission to life. It is no exaggeration to say that without the work of the Commission, the town may not even exist anymore.
 
Fast forward 40 years and Jane decided that now was the perfect time to tell this incredible story while so many of the key people were still here to share it with us. With the help of filmmaker Andrew Tolson and researcher Wilfred Allen, what started out as a short video for the community entitled RURAL RENAISSANCE: How the Citizens of Annapolis Royal Reinvented Canada’s Oldest Town, became an hour-long documentary that will be presented for the public on September 19th with three showings available at the King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal. The tickets are free, but you must reserve in advance at https://www.kingstheatre.ca/events/.
 
Success leaves clues!
What the Annapolis Royal Development Commission did for the community 40 years ago – and what AIRO is doing now with micro lending to help businesses start or grow – are a testament to how people continue to step up to reinvent their community. It’s one of the things that makes Annapolis Royal, the Cradle of Our Nation, such a wonderful place to live, work, and play! Annapolis Royal certainly isn’t the only community that has had to reinvent itself – there are lessons to be found in the work of the Annapolis Royal Development Commission and in the work of AIRO. It’s up to you to apply them to your own community!
Trailer for RURAL RENAISSANCE: How the Citizens of Annapolis Royal Reinvented Canada’s Oldest Town
 
Know An Entrepreneur Who Is Ready To Dream Big...or step up for one of the opportunities our Local Logic report identifies?
If you have a business idea you want to get off the ground or know someone who does, forward this email to someone who could use our help or go to our website and choose the appropriate application form, submit it, and we’ll reply with the next steps.
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About Us:
AIRO (Annapolis Investments in Rural Opportunity) is a privately held company. We exist as a driver to help create a resilient economic, social, and cultural future for our region – Annapolis Royal and Annapolis County.
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