$250K speaker system installed in downtown Midland to boost local shopping

The Town of Midland hopes a new speaker system will boost business through music.

The Town of Midland and Business Improvement Area (BIA) have finished installing new speakers on light posts along King Street, which they hope will bring a boost to local businesses through music.

As part of a $250,000 investment by the BIA to improve the area, the speakers are mounted between Elizabeth Street and Bayshore Drive and will play ambient music for shoppers.

“The mom-and-pop stores, you know, we want to encourage [shoppers] to continue to invest in the downtown community, hence shopping local,” said Rick Dillon, owner of Dillon’s Wood Fired Pizza on King Street.

The push for shopping local is also timely with potential tariffs again on the horizon.

“I think with everything that’s going on south of the border, I think it’s a great time for everyone to double down on shopping in their local business area,” said Jordana Wright, executive director of the BIA.

“We didn’t really need some of this sabre-rattling from the U.S. to encourage us to shop local,” said Midland Mayor Bill Gordon. “That’s always been our message and certainly is the message from any BIA and every community. But I think now it’s more important than ever.”

The BIA was inspired by other municipalities that are finding unique ways to drive people to their downtowns.

In addition to seasonal music, the town and BIA will rely on the speakers for large events, such as when nearly 60,000 people visit Midland for the butter tart festival.

“It gives us the ability to announce the judging contests, the winners, public safety announcements,” said Gordon. “It really is just another way to enhance the shopping and visiting experience.”

The BIA has been testing the speakers throughout the winter but plans to celebrate the official launch with an event this spring. They will then play music during business hours and special events.