By: Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW

With the aim of stimulating the local economy this holiday season, the Town of Cobourg has modified its parking fees in the downtown for residents and visitors during November and December.

The town announced on Friday (November 1) it is waiving the fee for the first hour of parking downtown during November and December. 

"With the holiday season approaching, we hope that offering an hour of free parking will encourage more people to explore and support our downtown businesses," Cobourg economic development manager Daniel Van Kampen told kawarthaNOW. "This offer is aimed at making holiday shopping in our community a little easier and more enjoyable." 

He added it's a way of saying "thank you for choosing to shop local and celebrate with us downtown."

The initiative with the Cobourg Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) runs until December 31.

At a recent council meeting, Cobourg council approved to extend the one-hour of free parking to include the month of November this year. 

The free hour of parking within any downtown metered streets or municipal parking lots is to encourage residents and visitors to shop and support downtown businesses.

"We encourage our residents and visitors to shop and support our local businesses," said Cobourg mayor Lucas Cleveland in a media release. 

Downtown street meters are $2.25 per hour and any expired meters will be given a one-hour grace period by the Town of Cobourg's municipal law enforcement officers. 

Vehicles parked longer than the one-hour grace period will be subject to parking tickets.

For a list of the qualifying downtown metered streets and municipal parking lots, visit cobourg.ca/parking.

According to the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN), with more than 7,000 small businesses in Northumberland County, choosing to shop locally can have a big impact.

"Supporting and encouraging local businesses is vital to Northumberland's economic and social well-being," Kailyn Coupland, business development co-ordinator for the BECN, told kawarthaNOW in an earlier interview during Small Business Week.

"By choosing to shop locally, residents help sustain the diverse, home-grown businesses that contribute to the community's unique character and economic resilience. Local businesses, in turn, invest back into the community by creating jobs, supporting local events, and fostering a sense of connection and pride among residents," Coupland explained.