Message From the Chair of the Board
Thank you for taking the time to visit our Bronte BIA website.
On behalf of the board of directors, I welcome you.
Guiding the Bronte BIA’s momentum in the key areas of our strategic plan over the coming year is my priority as chair. Membership development and growth, advocacy work on behalf of our members, hosting premier events, hosting our popular monthly networking events and partnering with business and community organizations to provide our members with important services and opportunities are what we do and we are committed to continuing creating more of these activities.
Thank you for the opportunity and honour of serving as chair of the board. I look forward to working with our enthusiastic Board of Directors, and Executive Director, Ann Sargent to achieve these objectives.
Mary Roberts
Chair, Bronte BIA
Manager – Estilo
What is a BIA?
A BIA is a non-profit association within a specified catchment area definited by its Constitution. The geographic area designated by a municipality for a BIA, is also sometimes called a BIA. The Bronte BIA in southwest Oakville is comprised of a group of merchants within the boundaries definited by its Constitution, who join together with the official approval of the Corporation of the Town of Oakville. Its main purpose is to create a self-help program to promote and stimulate local business. Our concept is simple and straight forward – request that the Town of Oakville collect an annual levy from businesses, provide that funding on an annual basis to an elected board of volunteers, and devote the money to improving and marketing the area.
Since 1970, the Municipal Act has included provisions for BIAs. There have been changes from time to time. For example, on January 1, 2007, most of the Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 (Bill 130) came into force. This Act provided municipalities with new powers, flexibility and autonomy to meet local expectations and fulfill responsibilities.
The existing sections of the Municipal Act, 2001 pertaining to Business Improvement Areas continue. Changes made through the Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 and other amending statutes include:
- A new subsection was added [204(2.1)] stating that a BIA board of management is a local board.
- Provisions allowing municipalities to make changes to their local boards – this may make it easier to address local concerns.
Traditionally, a BIA is a body (a corporation) established by a municipality using the specific business improvement area provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001. It is governed by a board of management.
The boundaries of the Bronte BIA are East St. on the east, West River St. on the west, Sovereign St. on the north and Ontario St. on the south.
Town of Oakville Support to Oakville BIA’s
BIAs help strengthen commercial areas and raise the profile of local destinations in town.By creating a strong and distinct image for shopping area, and marketing it effectively, BIA’s can better compete in an age of shopping malls and big-box retailing. More recently, BIA’s have been established in industrial/employment areas. BIAs can be catalysts for civic improvement and significant contributors to the city’s economy and the quality of life of town/city neighbourhoods.
Strengthening Community Through Street Front Retailing
Municipalities across Ontario are actively engaged in community programs to encourage development that relies on existing infrastructure and provides for distinctive, attractive, walkable neighbourhoods with a strong sense of place. Street front retailing, including a range of entertainment, cultural, and commercial businesses, has a key role to play in creating and sustaining livable communities. A strong Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a tool that can improve the local investment climate and help street front businesses adapt to shifting economic trends. http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1300.aspx
Downtown Oakville BIA 146 Lakeshore Road East Oakville, ON L6J 1H4
tel: 905-844-4520 fax: 905-844-1154 info@oakvilledowntown.com
Kerr Village BIA 323 Kerr Street unit 202 Oakville, ON L6K 3B6 tel: 905-849-8865
Who May Benefit from A BIA?
The Bronte BIA strives to foster local economic development and revitalization in the area to stimulate new impetus for business and tourism development within our wider community. Fostering community engagement can strengthen and build community interest, spirit, pride and networks beyond its current catchment boundaries.
Business Operators
All businesses in the area, whether retail, professional services, dining, entertainment or leisure/tourism enterprises may gain from an improved local atmosphere and ambience that a BIA helps to create. Improvements and activities may retain more local customers and attract more visitors.
Property Owners
BIA-initiated improvements and activities may hel to create and sustain a more vibrant economic environment within an area, which may lead to an increased demand for retail and office space, a decrease in commercial vacancy rates and an increase in property taxes.
Surrounding Neighbourhoods
The Bronte BIA is dedicated to improving the quality of life in surrounding neighbourhoods through physical improvements as well as enhanced ambience, choices in local shopping and professional services, job opportunities, cleanup and safety programs, and community safe, family friendly community events
The BIA Membership
One of the major functions of a BIA Board of Management is to make decisions on behalf of its members and to keep the membership abreast of BIA activities. A Board must also be able to identify and respond to the needs of its membership.
Open communication with members is vital and can be maintained through various means:
- face-to-face discussions
- organized meetings
- newsletters
- volunteer groups and subcommittees
- surveys/questionnaires
- visits to members
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
In accordance with section 204(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, or its predecessor legislation, the Board of Management for the Bronte Business Improvement Area has been continued as a local board for the purposes and with the authority set out by the Municipal Act.
The Board shall have control and management of the overall operation of the BIA, determine all policies, supervise the affairs of the BIA and maintain and liaise with the Town. The Board is accountable to the Membership.
Board of Management – Policies & Procedures – Constitution
BIA Board Meetings
Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month at the offices of the Bronte BIA unless otherwise determined by the Board.
All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public; provided, however that a meeting of the Board may be closed, under conditions identified within the Board of Management Policies and Procedures.
With sufficient notice provided, the Board shall hear deputations from the public, including Members of the BIA, and may, at its discretion, set limits for speaking time.
2012-2013 Board Meetings – 1st. Tuesday of every month at 8am
BIA office at 2368 Lakeshore Rd. W.
Please call 905-825-3258 if you wish to bring a matter to the Board.
Newsletters
Regular newsletters are sent to members by email and in hard copy by request.
Definition: BIA Membership
Definition: A member of the Bronte Village BIA is a professional individual, business, property owner or non-profit organization whose office or business is located in the current BIA area – W. River St. on west, Ontario St. on South, East St. on east, Sovereign St. on northern boundary. A portion of the BIA annual operating budget is funded by a Town tax levy, included in your rent.
Mission Statement
- Strives to create a vibrant community and a prosperous local economic environment.
- Acts as a unifying body for its membership – working to make Bronte Harbour, Oakville’s Village by the Lake, a ‘destination’ not only for its retailers and restaurants but for its professional and cultural assets as well.
- Helps to improve the lines of communication between you, the business community and the Town of Oakville municipal council and staff.
- Dedicated to ensuring a healthy economic environment for our community and making it a place in which to shop, dine, work, play, live or invest.
Rights and Responsibilities
- Attend BIA Member Functions
- Business listing on Bronte BIA website and link to own website
- Newsletters
- Can use BIA logo on letterhead indicating that the business is a member in good standing of the Bronte Village BIA
- Participation in festivals/special events at no vendor fee.
- Participation on Bronte BIA committees
- May vote at the Annual General Meeting
BENEFITS OF BEING A BIA MEMBER
www.brontevillage.net BIA Website listing as a member. Online business directory includes a listing of all of the businesses, and an outline of local events. A listing on our website of 200 local businesses.
- Bronte BIA Newsletter
Introduction as a new BIA member in BIA newsletter and membership database.
- Advertise on Bronte BIA Website
As a Member you may advertise on the Bronte BIA website with banner ads. (cost depending upon size).
- Vendor & Sponsorship Opportunities
The Bronte BIA does special events throughout the year eg. Easter Eggstravaganza, Canada Day (50,000 persons), Harbour Days August, Autumnfest in Sept. and Christmas in November.
- Voice in Local Affairs
Lobbying to support the best interests of independent businesses in the Bronte BIA catchment area is an important issue for the BIA.
- Committee Participation
Engage with local business owners on BIA matters of importance.
*Beautification
*Marketing
*Events Committees: Easter, Canada Day, Christmas Tree lighting Event.
*Finance Committee
*Communications Committee
- Networking Opportunities
Attend and network at Bronte BIA social events. Meet new people and exchange helpful business hints or simply relax and catch up on what’s going on in Bronte (southwest Oakville). We encourage new businesses to host member networking functions so that the community may familiarize themselves with their new business neighbours.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Bronte BIA offers many opportunities for its partners throughout the year. Bronte BIA has been fortunate in developing relationships with some local, regional and national organizations that see the value in promoting their brand to this upscale market. We have opportunities in every price range. Find out what we can offer your company, we welcome your enquiries.
Partnership Benefits
- Excellent exposure for your business
- Increase your presence in the Ontario marketplace
- Reinforce your product recognition
- Network with other professionals, community and entertainment industry leaders
- Make a positive contribution to the community
- Showcase your product or service to an upscale, highly educated market
- Access to a demography with a high level of disposable income
- Increase brand awareness
- Initiate trial
- Bring profile to a company, products, or planned campaign
- Differentiate from other sponsors
- Flexibility of sponsorship parameters to maximize exposure and meet specific client needs
- Our Promise to You To increase sponsor awareness
- To provide media exposure
- To generate corporate goodwill in the community
- To provide hospitality opportunities
- Event attendance of up to 50,000 people
Our Promise to you
- To increase awareness of your business
- To provide media exposure
- To generate corporate goodwill in the community
- To provide hospitality opportunities
- Event opportunities
Board of Directors
The Bronte BIA Board of Directors is responsible for the BIA’s. The structure and mandate of the Board is specified in the BIA’s. The twelve directors are elected by the BIA membership to serve members and provide the guidance to help foster a healthy economic environment for the Bronte business community. We welcome enquiries for people wishing to join the board and the BIA’s committees.
Please view our current Board of Directors here.
Board of Management
| Mary Roberts (Chair) | Manager – Estilo (Fashion for Women) |
| Martha Sandilands (Vice-Chair) | Bronte Art Academy & Gallery |
| Roger Lapworth (Treasurer) rlapworth@brontevillage.net | Roger Lapworth Financial Consultant |
| Sam Ibrahim sam.ibrahim@td.com | TD Canada Trust |
| Sam Rawdah info@brontevillage.net | Sammy’s Old Fashion Chip Wagon |
| Ron Sleightholm info@brontevillage.net | DAVIS WEBB LLP Barristers & Solicitors |
| Janet Bedford janet@janetbedfordrealtor.com | Royal LePage, Oakville.com, SNAP Oakville |
| Linda Leatherdale | Linda Leatherdale.com & Cambria Canada |
| Lori BrudloCarolyn MoshtaghAhmed Rizvi | Agile Talent Solutions Inc.Axxyr.comEdward Jones Investment |
| Ralph Robinson (Ward 1 Councillor) rrobinson@brontevillage.net |
Town of Oakville www.oakville.ca |
Executive Director
Ann Sargent asargent@brontevillage.net
New to the neighbourhood? Like to learn more about Bronte Harbour – West Oakville?
Contact any Bronte BIA Board Members, or drop by our office!
The Bronte BIA office offers:
• Local and Regional Maps
• Official Bronte Business Directories
• Specific Bronte Area Merchant & Business Information
• Local Events Information & Calendar
• Sponsorships/Partnerships
• Historical Information & Sourcing
• Information on Local Organizations
• New Member Kits for Merchants/Businesses moving to Bronte
• General Information on attractions & communities surrounding Bronte
• Various Other Resources
… And much, much more!
Executive Director
Ann Sargent
asargent@brontevillage.net
