CARLETON PLACE BIA HAS A NEW CO-ORDINATOR

PAISLEY WOODS TOOK OVER THE HELM AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY

A familiar face has taken the helm of the Downtown Carleton Place Business Improvement Association (BIA).

Paisley Woods is the BIA's new co-ordinator, assuming the part-time gig at the beginning of February. Though, she did some volunteer work for the organization in December 2022. The co-ordinator position, which was previously held by Katie Barnett, had been vacant since November.

Woods grew up in cottage country in Western Ontario but moved to Ottawa about 20 years ago. She relocated to Carleton Place 10 years ago with her husband, Jose Bray. The couple has two sons, aged five and 10. They also run a local business — Joe Mamma Cycles — which also has a location in Ottawa.

While living in Ottawa, "we used to take day trips here," Woods said. "Sunday drives in the Ottawa Valley."

"We were really captivated by Carleton Place, which is why we decided to settle here," she added. "We love the small-town life."

Woods' employment background includes retail management and office management, with the coordinator job pulling from both sides.

"I love that I get to contribute to the local community through my day-to-day work," she emphasized. "It really means something to me and it touches on a lot of

my experience."

Woods is thrilled to join the BIA at this pivotal time, with the reconstruction of Bridge Street winding down. She teased that something in the works for May to mark the project's completion.

"There are some things to finish still, but overall the street is open and I think business owners in general are ready to hit the ground running," she noted. "The consensus: what are we doing and let us get going."

Currently, the BIA's social media is handled by Lisa Strangway/The Marketing Station.

"I really like the co-ordinator position," Woods stressed. "Obviously, there are always challenges with a new job, so I am just getting my bearings."

At this time, she is working on the BIA's budget and marketing and events plans for the year and is reaching out to the membership.

Woods will liaise with the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce as well as the municipality, working together to make each event they are producing successful.

"Over the past few years we have had a lot of smaller

events," she pointed out. "This year the board has decided to focus and do larger but fewer events."

When she is not working, Woods is in "Mommy Mode."

"We like to spend time outdoors, of course, riding bikes," she said. "The kids love the pump track and skate park (at Carleton Junction), so you will always find me there."

The mandate of the BIA is to revitalize, improve, beautify, maintain and promote Carleton Place's downtown as a whole. Funding for the organization comes through a levy collected from the businesses within the BIA's defined area. The district encompasses Bridge Street, one side of Beckwith Street and one side of Victoria Street. It also stretches to the former Findlay Foundry property on High Street and the Carleton Place Mews on Lansdowne Avenue, in addition to the Carleton Junction area (Coleman and Moore streets).

Woods will be in the BIA office, located at 136 Bridge St., Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. She can also be reached at 613-257-8049 or info@downtowncarletonplace.com.