(Photo: Kelly Roche/QEW South Post)
BY KELLY ROCHE
So long, lighthouse — the Port Credit Business Improvement Association finally has a new home.
An open house, complete with ribbon-cutting ceremony, was held Thursday evening at Clarke Memorial Hall.
With roughly 700 members, small business owners came out in droves to celebrate.
“I’m grateful we’ve got a lot of support,” said general manager Ellen Timms.
The BIA is occupying the hall’s second floor after more than 20 years at the iconic lighthouse, which Timms compared to “a great, big, bedroom.”
Now they’ve got a great, big, boardroom.
Art was donated, food was provided, and young entrepreneurs showed off their wares for the celebratory bash.
“People choose Port Credit to open their business, to expand their business, because of the location,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
Clarke Hall has accommodated a Sunday school, municipal office, and various meeting spaces for different groups, “so it’s very fitting now that it houses our Port Credit BIA,” said Crombie.
The relocation cost about $70,000.
“We’re a sustainable group,” said Timms.
The BIA, funded by the city, looks after beautification and promotion of the area. Every business within a BIA’s boundaries automatically becomes a member and pays fees.
Clarkson Village, Streetsville, and Malton have a BIA, however, Port Credit boasts the largest in the city, sponsoring the Mississauga Marathon, Mississauga Waterfront Festival, Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival, plus organizing BuskerFest, a seasonal farmers’ market, and more.
Ward 1 Coun. Jim Tovey said the BIA is creating a “much better atmosphere for business” and together, they’re focusing on bringing office space and jobs to the area.
Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa commended Timms for her leadership.
“This BIA, it makes us so proud,” said Sousa.
The Port Credit BIA turns 40 next year.
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