After 45 years spent beautifying and promoting the downtown area, the Gravenhurst BIA is going on hiatus for the foreseeable future.
During the most recent Gravenhurst council meeting, Coun. Erin Strength, said the organization has agreed to go into dormancy.
“It’s been a long, difficult struggle to get to where we are today,” said Strength, the Town representative on the BIA Board.
In November the last five remaining board members voted to go into dormancy, she said.
“From what I gather from the downtown business core, this is a good thing. We need to take a breather, take a break,” said Strength. “Everyone on the board is spent in terms of time and money and ideas.”
The BIA Board was established in 1979 through a by-law by the sitting council to act as a unifying body for its membership, working to make downtown Gravenhurst a destination for seasonal and year-round residents. The BIA is funded by money collected from businesses in the downtown area and focuses on the development of the downtown area through beautification, events, marketing, and promotion.
Coun. Penny Varney was one of the original members of the BIA.
“I feel this is quite a sad thing but down the road, it will be a positive thing,” she said.
The BIA will now go dormant for the next three years, at minimum.
Funds that have been collected for the BIA will go towards existing obligations, such as downtown Christmas lights.
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How sad
So sad to learn of this, especially since I am relatively new to the town (Aug 2023). I recall asking my agent if the downtown is thriving or as I suspected, in a state of neglect and decline, especially when compared to other communities I was considering. The town has tremendous potential. The article states that the hiatus may be a positive thing down the road. I would like to understand how that could be.
Glenna Day