Mission

Our Mission is to ignite economic growth and cultural vibrancy in downtown Peterborough, by creating spaces and experiences where people feel connected, inspired, and at home.

We champion local stories, celebrate diverse communities, and foster a downtown where life and business thrive together. 

Goal 1: Support Economic Growth Downtown

  • Vacancy Activation Program: Bring back Win this Space to fill vacant storefronts with pop-up shops, co-working spaces, or galleries, etc.
  • Small Business Incubator: Partnering with Community Futures, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to create a support hub to mentor and fund local start-ups, focusing on diverse and innovative business models.
  • Anchor Tenant Recruitment: Attract key businesses or institutions to establish themselves downtown (2nd and 3rd floor businesses), boosting foot traffic and economic activity.
  • Evolution of the Boro Card System: This project will focus on streamlining operations, cost-savings, improving user experience and expanding the program’s reach to drive more traffic to downtown businesses.
  • Boundary expansion: to include VBIA, Associate Membership, Event Centre

Goal 2: Revitalize Downtown Vibrancy

  • Develop a calendar of activities to keep downtown lively year-round
  • Downtown Festival Series: Launch events such as food festivals, wellness events, concerts, capturing a diversity of cultures and demographics to animate the Quaker Square
  • Pop-Up Program: Introduce temporary experiences to surprise and delight, like street markets, open-air movie nights or art installations in under-utilized spaces
  • Community Co-Creation Lab: Partner with local artists, businesses and residents to ideate and co-host unique downtown events

Goal 3: Enhance Downtown’s Beauty

  • Art in Public Spaces: Commission new murals, interactive/seasonal sculptures, or creative lighting installations to enhance the downtown aesthetic
  • Seasonal Streetscaping: Introduce rotating seasonal displays like flower-filled planters/baskets in summer or themed decorations in winter, Halloween sculptures in the Fall, etc.
  • Downtown Wayfinding and Signage Enhancement project aims to create a cohesive and visually appealing signage system that improves navigation to downtown or parking and enhances the overall visitor experience (directional signs, informational kiosks, and welcome signage).
  • Green Infrastructure Pilot: Implement eco-friendly projects like rain gardens, alleyway wall gardens, depave-projects or parklets to improve sustainability
  • Partnership with the City: Public Works maintenance

Goal 4: Elevate Downtown’s Brand

  • Digital Experience Platform: Create an interactive website featuring downtown directories, event calendars and self-guided tours, etc
  • Event Marketing: These campaigns promote the diverse calendar of events from seasonal festivals and cultural celebrations to pop-up markets and live performances
  • Shop Local Campaign: Promotional campaigns to highlight small businesses or during key shopping seasons like back-to-school or holiday shopping passport, Boro Card, Shop, Dine, Enjoy!
  • Storytelling Series: Share engaging stories of downtown entrepreneurs, artists and visitors through social media and newsletters
  • Downtown Merchandise Program: This initiative includes developing high-quality, locally sourced merchandise that showcase downtown’s identity. Proceeds from sales will be reinvested into downtown programs, events and beautification efforts.
  • DBIA Membership Communications: Dedicated to keeping downtown businesses informed, engaged, and connected – newsletters and direct outreach, town halls, etc.

Goal 5: Strengthen Operational Excellence

  • Board and Staff Development Workshops: Offer leadership, governance and skill training for DBIA board members and staff to enhance decision-making, collaboration and succession
  • Stakeholder Engagement CRM System: Develop a structured approach to gather input from businesses and residents through surveys, town halls, or advisory committees
  • Policy Modernization: Update operational policies, constitution and bylaws to streamline processes like vendor approvals, event permitting and communications
  • Establish a volunteer program

Goal 6: Foster Financial Resilience

  • Grants & Sponsorship Hub: Develop a dedicated team or toolkit to identify and apply for grants and secure sponsorships for events, beautification and infrastructure projects
  • Efficiency Audit: Conduct an operational efficiency review to identify cost-saving opportunities and reallocate resources to high-impact areas
  • Reserve Fund Creation: Establish a contingency fund for emergency needs or unexpected opportunities
  • Timeline and Milestones: Set clear deadlines for budget approval, project initiation, and major spending periods. Identify key milestones to track progress throughout the year
  • Long-term Financial Planning: Growth Opportunities
  • Redefine Expense Categories in the Budget

Downloads

ptbo