City Council approved the Downtown Wrenford Business Improvement Area’s 2025 budget during the regular meeting at Wrenford City Hall on October 29. The Downtown Wrenford Business Improvement Area (BIA) manages the downtown core and works to keep local shops and restaurants open and thriving.
The BIA board prepares its own budget each year. Council reviews it to make sure it matches the city’s goals for a strong downtown. The city also collects the BIA levy on behalf of the board and adds a city councillor to the board so we can work together. The total approved budget for 2025 is $245,000. Of that amount, $18,500 will come from the BIA levy paid by downtown property owners. The rest is covered by city grants, provincial funding, and private sponsorships. The levy portion is up six and a half per cent from 2024. Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price said, "Downtown belongs to the whole city. It is where you shop, work, and celebrate together. The Downtown Wrenford BIA is a key partner in keeping our core vibrant and welcoming for everyone."
You do not need to take any action right now. If you own a business in the downtown core, your levy will be added to your property tax bill in February. You can check your levy amount on your property tax account.
The BIA has been serving the downtown area for more than 30 years. It runs events like Harvest on Mercer, helps small businesses with marketing, and maintains street furniture and cleaning services. An amendment to the Utility By-law will come to Council next month to update the levy rates. For more on how the BIA is funded and how downtown initiatives are planned, visit Downtown Wrenford BIA.