Meaford Market Square (Photo from Google Maps)
Meaford is going to consider starting the process of reinstating the local Business Improvement Area (BIA).
This comes after council approved in May to explore reviving the BIA.
Meaford’s BIA was dissolved in 2022 and was replaced with a Main Street organization, Main Street Meaford. Its goal was to advance local culture, while preserving the history of the community and pursue economic opportunities for downtown Meaford.
The organization, however, was deemed unsuccessful in generating the community revitalization and improvement of the downtown area as anticipated.
As part of revival discussions, the new BIA could include revised boundaries.
Small and Medium Business Liaison Jessica Kenyon says in a report, “Staff have completed a comprehensive review of the historical BIA boundaries to explore the potential of expanding the area.”
Staff have proposed several options to expand the BIA boundaries, which will be further explored through public engagement over the coming months.
BIAs allow local businesses and commercial property owners and tenants to work together and support their municipalities in organizing, financing and conduct physical improvements, while promoting economic development.
The BIA will be comprised of a board of five to eight people, which will include a member of council.
The goal is to reestablish the BIA by April/May next year.