RALLYING CRY GOES OUT TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, OWNERS WITH SURVEY TO REVIVE BIA AMID DECAYING CORE IN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Downtown business owners are being canvassed and being asked to consider a resurrection of its Business Improvement Area (BIA) currently on three-year hiatus.

Chamber board vice chair Eric Daly and town councillor Penny Varney have been out on the hustings gauging support for its return and positively trying anything to put life back into the ailing main street where at least a half dozen businesses have recently fled.

The BIA was surviving on just under $45,000 in self-imposed fees through the town to promote itself.

The taking of temperatures comes amid yet more businesses vacating the Muskoka Road main street and surrounding First Street — where Gravenhurst Plumbing left at the end of last year and moved to the industrial park at the north end of the Gateway to Muskoka town.

LETTER TO LANDLORDS

They’ve also sent out a notice and survey (below) to businesses and their owners — some of those who are absentee landlords.

They’re inviting them to “join us for our upcoming Business Check-In Night on February 18, at 5 p.m., at Trillium Court in the Gravenhurst Opera House.”

They say “it’s all about coming together as business and building owners to start a positive, collaborative conversation about the future of our downtown. We want to share ideas on how we can revitalize local businesses, boost tourism, reduce turnover, and build long-term momentum for our community.”

One idea they’ll be discussing is the potential revival of the BIA.

The chamber says it is “excited to help get the conversation started.”

To support the discussion, they’ve invited Rachel Braithwaite, executive director of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), who will help guide the conversation and answer questions.

In order to facilitate discussion, they’ve also put out a requests for an RSVP; together with a short survey they’d like completed and returned by February 16.

The hope is it will make the meeting more productive and focused on what matters most.

They note, however oddly, this event is intended specifically for business owners and building owners. Public consultations could come later.

And say it is “just the beginning of what we hope will be many conversations, and we’re really looking forward to working together with the community as we move forward.

“Thanks so much for your continued investment in our downtown—we hope to see you there.”

BIA BUSINESS, OWNERS SURVEY:

A BIA is a defined area where local businesses and property owners work together to improve and promote their neighbourhood. A BIA organizes joint marketing, events, and streetscape improvements, while supporting and advocating for the best interests of

the downtown core.

It is funded through a special tax levy paid by commercial property owners, which

is sometimes passed on to tenants.

• Have you recognized the benefits of an active BIA in our community in the past, or in other communities you have visited?

◻YES ◻NO

With its current designated area, our BIA was collecting just under $45,000 annually; limited funds limited the possibilities.

• Would you be interested in advocating for the expansion of our BIA to increase its annual intake without increasing the cost for those already contributing?

◻YES ◻NO

• We have 2 years to re-establish the BIA before it’s too late; would you be willing to volunteer some of your time for revival efforts?

◻YES ◻NO

Please share any constructive comments/questions here:

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