GRIMSBY ON THE LAKE HOPES TO GET ITS OWN BIA

BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE AREA FEEL 'OVERLOOKED' BY THE TOWN

Grimsby on the Lake is looking to get its own business improvement area.

The committee of the whole meeting on March 7 saw Anne Turcic, owner of La Maison Rose café in Grimsby, delegate about how the area has felt left out by the town.

"We feel without a BIA that Grimsby on the Lake has not been afforded ample opportunities and support from the Town of Grimsby," she said. "We hope (getting a BIA) will allow us to be a part of events like Happening in the Park, or Grimsby's 100th anniversary,

as unfortunately Grimsby on the Lake has been overlooked and many of us weren't aware of the events and therefore unable

to participate."

Speaking on behalf of multiple businesses in the area (many of which had representatives there with

her), Turcic said Grimsby has seen a significant amount of growth over the last few years.

"We feel this may be necessary to promote positive growth, economic development and the beautification of Grimsby on the Lake to bring both business and community together to identify and address the concerns and needs that the current businesses have, to encourage new growth and a more vibrant economic environment," she said.

Part of the reason for her delegation, and her request for a BIA, is that the group has identified a number of problems that are expected to get worse for Grimsby on the Lake, such as parking.

The parking problem has particularly affected businesses where people want to "grab and go" items such as a bag of milk, or picking up a food order.

"More often than not, these people are having to park far away and having to walk for several minutes just to run in and grab and go," she said.

Even without a BIA, she said the group in Grimsby on the Lake has been able to mobilize and plan its own campaigns such as Shop Local, and participate in the Grimsby Santa Claus Parade. But the BIA, she said, would provide necessary support from the town.

Later in the meeting, Coun. Nick DiFlavio brought forward a motion to have the town "investigate the feasibility of creating a business improvement area for the area of Grimsby on the Lake, including all businesses north of the QEW, east of the Winona border, and west of Kerman Avenue North."

That motion will come before committee of the whole at its next meeting.