Thornbury BIA returns to full events lineup for 2022

The Thornbury Business Improvement Area (BIA) is planning a return to in-person events for downtown Thornbury in 2022.

With the COVID-19 pandemic receding and life returning to normal, the BIA is returning to a full lineup of events in 2022. BIA board member George Poole presented his organization’s 2022 budget to The Blue Mountains council at its meeting on May 10.

“The good news is this is post-COVID and we’re getting back to more norms,” said Poole.

The budget included a number of new projects the BIA is undertaking this year, as well as a number of downtown events.

Poole noted that the BIA will be purchasing new banners to freshen up the downtown core and will put in some new lighting to brighten up downtown. The budget includes a $100,000 project to install new winter lighting, with the funds coming from BIA reserves and a contribution from the town.

In 2021 with COVID restrictions still in place parts of the year, the BIA spent $53,101 and finished with a surplus of $56,949. The 2022 budget forecasts spending of $213,600. However, with the surplus funds, reserve contributions and the amount coming from the town – the levy the BIA charges to its membership has increased from $102,250 in 2021 to $104,900 in 2022. BIA members will pay approximately $850 for their 2022 levy.

“This is basically flat and our members should be happy,” said Poole. “It’s not any kind of increase and the good news is we’re getting back to more normalized activity.”

BIA events include: Canada Day, the Apple Festival, Love Local campaign, Old Fashioned Christmas and for the first time: Pride Week.

At the meeting, council voted to accept the BIA budget.