Downtown business and property owners are being invited to attend an upcoming information night focused on the role and potential benefits of re-establishing a Business Improvement Area (BIA).
The event will feature guest speaker Rachel Braithwaite, executive director of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), and will provide an overview of how BIAs operate and support the success of downtown cores across the province.
A BIA is a defined geographic area in which local businesses and property owners work together on initiatives such as marketing, events, streetscape improvements, and advocacy. BIAs are funded through a special levy paid by commercial property owners within the designated area and are designed to represent and advance the interests of downtown businesses.
The Gravenhurst BIA entered dormancy in December 2024.
Organizers say the information night is intended to give local stakeholders a better understanding of how a BIA functions, while also providing an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and discuss challenges and opportunities facing the downtown area. The meeting is open exclusively to business and building owners.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to complete a short questionnaire in advance to help guide the discussion and allow participants to raise concerns or topics they would like addressed. Space is limited, and attendees are asked to RSVP by February 16.
Braithwaite brings more than a decade of experience working in the BIA sector. As executive director of OBIAA, she supports and advocates for more than 300 BIAs across Ontario. Prior to assuming her current role, she served for five years on the OBIAA board of directors, including as board secretary and chair of both the advocacy and awards committees.
She also played a key role in reviewing BIA-related sections of the Municipal Act, advocating to the provincial government on challenges faced by BIAs and recommending improvements to better support downtown communities. Braithwaite is widely known for her collaborative leadership style, expertise in effective budgeting, and strong advocacy for main street revitalization.
Organizers say the information session is intended as an initial step in exploring whether a BIA could help support business growth and long-term downtown success through collaboration and coordinated investment.
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