Walkerton BIA dissolves, council to continue collaborative ventures

BROCKTON – The Walkerton Business Improvement Area (BIA) has folded.

Brockton council made the difficult decision to dissolve the group after months of working with its volunteer board of management to help it get on a solid footing after a series of staff resignations. The BIA had been without a full-time manager since last fall, despite best efforts to recruit new personnel. Over the past few months, all but one of the BIA’s directors have resigned from the board.

After thoughtful consideration, Brockton council voted last month to support the dissolution of the BIA to allow businesses to have direct control over their own promotions.

Brockton staff were lending support to the BIA to assist with recruitment efforts, promotions, communications and legislative requirements. Staff will continue to support all Brockton businesses through various means, and $6,000 has been set aside in the Brockton budget to cover the Hometown Christmas Market and related promotions this year.

“We worked very hard to keep the BIA going and find solutions,” said Mayor Chris Peabody. “Staff worked closely with the board and assisted in many ways, by adopting the Walkerton Dollars program, for example, helping with staff recruitment, meetings and legislative issues, and promotions such as last year’s spring and Christmas events in downtown Walkerton.”

There are about 300 BIAs in Ontario, made up of commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential tenants, who join together under a volunteer board of management to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated area. They are accountable to their respective municipal councils, who levy a fee from each business within a designated area to cover costs. Chambers of Commerce are independently run, and charge membership fees.

Because of the BIA dissolution, Brockton will not be issuing invoices to business owners for payment of the 2022 levy.

Council amended its 2022 budget to include additional funds to support the Hometown Christmas Market event, which has been a successful draw for downtown businesses over the past few years.  Staff will manage the event, in collaboration with business owners.

The municipality has also transitioned the successful shop-local Walkerton Dollars program into Brockton Dollars, administered by staff. Brockton Dollars can be redeemed at any participating business within the municipality. They are available from the municipal office in denominations of $10, $25, and $50 and are designed to support local businesses.

The municipality will continue to provide support to our business community through the Brockton Economic Development Committee and the Community Development Coordinator, who oversees the municipality’s business recognition program, façade grants, Brockton Dollars, visitor services and tourism promotion, and communications about business-related matters and economic development.

Businesses are encouraged to sign up for the Brockton Business e-Newsletter, which is issued monthly and includes local business supports and community specific items related to economic development. Tourism-related businesses in Brockton, such as restaurants, accommodators and attractions, are promoted free of charge on the visitwalkerton.com website, and at the seasonal Visitor Information Centre at Lobies Park.

The municipality will be phasing out the Walkerton BIA’s website and social media accounts over the next few months. Businesses are encouraged to follow Brockton’s social media accounts and website to stay abreast of community, business, and tourism news.

The municipality will continue to collaborate with Walkerton businesses so we all thrive as a community with an exceptionally strong and inviting downtown core.