NEWS RELEASE
DOWNTOWN ORILLIA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
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The Board of Management of the Downtown Orillia Business Improvement Area (DOBIA) is pleased to announce an important partnership with the Orillia Area
Community Development Corp. (OACDC) to provide support to the small business DOBIA members that had their business spaces destroyed by the Peter Street fire.
The DOBIA board has agreed to contribute $25,000 from the DOBIA reserve to create the Downtown Orillia Fire Recovery Fund (DOFRF) program. This program is designed to financially support member businesses in their efforts to relocate their business within the downtown footprint.
Through the DOFRF program, funding up to a maximum of $4,000 may be paid out to help cover rent costs. The funding is available on a first come, first served basis and is only available while funding lasts.
The OACDC has agreed to administer the DOFRF program on behalf of the DOBIA. The OACDC will be accepting, evaluating and approving applications, creating funding agreements with approved applicants and will disburse the funds as per the program eligibility criteria.
Businesses who are interested in applying to the DOFRF program, should email [email protected] to learn more.
“The board was unanimous in that we wanted to figure out a way to help those businesses who had lost their spaces due to the fire," said Jennie-May Banks, vice-chair of the BIA board.
"So, we discussed what was the best way that we could support them in helping them get back on their feet. By offering this program, it also allows us to help the businesses remain in the downtown," said Banks.
“Between our strong relationship with the Downtown Orillia BIA and the opportunity to support the impacted businesses, partnering on this program was a great fit with our organization’s mandate to support the local business community," said Jim Fitzgerald, general manager of the OACDC.
Run by an elected board of volunteers made up primarily of local business owners, the Downtown Orillia BIA (DOBIA) is home to prime shopping, dining and entertainment for both locals and visitors alike with over 150 shops and over 25 restaurants to choose from. The DOBIA footprint is a large one that includes six blocks of Mississaga Street as well as the sidestreets of Albert, Andrew, West, Peter, Matchedash and Front streets between Coldwater and Colborne. The DOBIA is funded through a special commercial tax levy assessed on the commercial property owners in this area.
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