The Downtown Nanaimo Business Association has a mandate of marketing and helping other organizations stage events in the downtown core. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

downtown rejuvenation

‘We’re up to the challenge:’ new Downtown Nanaimo Businesses Association approved

Apr 20, 2021 | 4:43 PM

NANAIMO — A newly endorsed organization will use an annual property tax levy in a bid to bolster the downtown core’s vibrancy and sustainability.

The Downtown Nanaimo Business Associaton (DNBA) was approved after a petition against process failed. Of the 138 property owners involved, less than half of the required 50 per cent of business owners voted against a five-year mandate to fund marketing and event initiatives downtown.

The incoming levy amounts to roughly $150,000 annually beginning this summer, according to a City staff report.

Association board member Kim Smythe said he’s convinced their independent group will positively impact downtown merchants at a critical time.

“The goal was always to establish a grassroots organization that can speak for itself and didn’t have to ask the advice of any partners before it made decisions,” Smythe told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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The business shaded in yellow are now members of the newly hatched DNBA. (City of Nanaimo)

Smythe said consistent efforts will be made to entice people downtown and support other organizations to stage events.

“We’re slated to be attracting a different audience to downtown. It’s really important that we get the right kind of people, that we attract them and keep them coming back.”

Smythe said they’re actively working on plans for celebrations this Christmas at Maffeo Sutton Park and on downtown streets.

He cited four full years without a tailored downtown business advocacy organization and ongoing social issues as challenges.

“I think we’ll see a slow shift over the coming weeks and months where downtown becomes a lot more attractive just because we’re doing the right things to attract the right people.”

Smythe said while funding security initiatives is up to the board, he said their primary mandate is marketing and facilitating downtown events.

The DNBA is mandated to have no more than a quarter of its annual budget spent on administration costs.

Smythe said a small number of tax-exempt property owners in their service area won’t be subject to the levy, which applies alongside annual property taxes every July through 2025.

He said the DNBA will apply for grants from other sources.

Smythe in his role as president of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce began working in 2019 to organize a non-profit society to represent downtown businesses.

The organization was granted non-profit society status from the province last year.

Neighbouring business advocacy organizations represent merchants in the Victoria Crescent and Old City Quarter areas.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes