Vanier BIA’s Ignite Beechwood project received My Main Street support to draw visitors and increase local vibrancy in Vanier and Beechwood Village.
December 10, 2024 – OTTAWA, ON – The Vanier BIA is pleased to announce that our Ignite Beechwood Project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and has received support to enhance programming and infrastructure at St. Charles Square.
Support from My Main Street is enabling the Vanier BIA to enhance the historic St. Charles Market with new lighting, staging, and year-round furniture. These upgrades were showcased during the Akoustik summer music series and September’s BeechFest. The support has also helped the BIA create a holiday edition of the Akoustik series, taking place on December 18th and featuring festive lighting at St. Charles Market.
This support will help strengthen the community, attract foot traffic to local businesses, and enhance the visitor experience while enabling the BIA to offer diverse, inclusive programs and build the infrastructure needed for these events to thrive for years to come.
For more information about these events, please visit VanierBIA,com.
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.
Quotes
“We’re thrilled that My Main Street selected the Vanier BIA to help us contribute to the vibrancy on Beechwood Avenue. These funds will help us continue to grow our Akoustik series and create holiday events too!”
- Nathalie Carrier, Executive Director, ZAC Vanier
“A community’s resilience is anchored in its main street, and investing in them fosters economic prosperity and growth. Projects like Ignite Beechwood Project supported through My Main Street’s Community Activator initiative use intentional and creative placemaking to revitalize their neighbourhoods and public spaces. Our program’s investment provides an opportunity for local change makers to build healthy, robust main street communities that support local businesses and enhance the visitor experience.”
- Mary W. Rowe, CEO and President, Canadian Urban Institute
“The Canadian Urban Institute, with support from the Government of Canada, is investing in community projects, such as the Vanier BIA’s Ignite Beechwood project. These projects attract visitors to our main streets, support local businesses, and revitalize our communities – helping shops, restaurants and local economies thrive. Together, we’re building stronger, more vibrant communities.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Associated Links
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Media Contacts
Nathalie Carrier
Executive Director
ZAC Vanier BIA
[email protected]
Anne Marie Aikins
My Main Street
[email protected]
Edward Hutchinson
Director, Communications
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
[email protected]
Background:
About My Main Street: The My Main Street program has returned with an additional Government of Canada investment, building on an initial investment in 2021, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to spur local economic recovery. To date, the initial investment has supported nearly 4,500 businesses and organizations, nearly 7,500 jobs and leveraged nearly $19 million in additional investment. The funding aims to revitalize neighbourhood main streets with a healthy retail mix while generating inclusive economic opportunities. The program now features two streams – Business Sustainability and the Community Activator. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).
About Canadian Urban Institute (CUI): The Canadian Urban Institute is a leading organization dedicated to advancing urban solutions. CUI collaborates with city builders, researchers, and community leaders to create thriving, equitable, and sustainable urban spaces across Canada.
About FedDev Ontario: For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.