The city decided to invest about $20,000 into its website during this year's budget process. Port Colborne Mayor Vance Badawey said he hopes to have the website completely redesigned by mid-year.

By mid-year, the hopes are that Internet users who type in www.portcolborne.com will bring up a whole new website, according to Mayor Vance Badawey.

"That's what we're shooting for," said Badawey in a phone interview with The Leader on Tuesday.

During this year's budget, council agreed to set aside about $20,000 to improve the multiple websites owned and operated by the city. As well as the main Port Colborne website, web browsers searching for city information might happen upon the Port Colborne Economic and Tourism Development Corporation's website, the Canal Days website, the Flavours of Niagara website, the Carbohydrate Valley website or the Experience Port Colborne website.

Half of the money for the website is to include integration of the sites, said PCEDTC general manager Stephen Thompson. He said upcoming board meetings will include discussions on how to make the websites more consistent.

"I think each one has a fairly distinct purpose and that's probably why they were created the way they were," said Thompson. "Certainly the goal at that level is to ensure consistency and ensure the links are there between the sites."

The other half of the money will be used to create two new listings: one will be a new business directory and one will be a listing of available real estate in Port Colborne, said Thompson, who added the new directories will be a "very detailed template of information."

"We're looking at plans on how that'll be updated on a regular basis with people who have that information, whether it be Niagara Economic Development Corporation or the Niagara Association of Realtors."

Badawey said following a report by website consulting company A Couple of Chicks, the city has noticed a "lot of hits" on its website in the past year. Updating the city's websites has been a priority for this council since its election. The website's last large update was in 2004, said Badawey.

"We're looking at consolidating websites so it's a one-stop shop when people are starting to look at Port Colborne," said Badawey. "It's like with everything else. You always have to have a fresh look."

Badawey said the money will be "well-worth the investment."

"One of the great things I believe in is marketing," said the mayor. "It's all about getting the word out and making people abroad know about Port Colborne."