Brockton Council has dissolved the Walkerton Business Improvement Area.
A release states the decision was made this week after months of working with the 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 and over the past few months, all but one of the BIA’s directors have resigned from the board.
Municipal 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 Brockton 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.”
Brockton will not be issue invoices to business owners for payment of the 2022 levy.
And the Municipality is also transitioning 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.
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.