Mississauga Business Improvement Areas Benefit from Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative

The City of Mississauga received $667,953 in funding through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) as part of the Government of Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative.

“I’d like to thank the Government of Ontario for recognizing that main streets are at the heart of well-planned, complete cities.”

“It’s important that we continue to invest in enhancing these thriving pockets in our city for the benefit of residents, tourists and local businesses,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Small businesses help empower and strengthen our neighbourhoods, create jobs and support the growth of our economy. These investments will help boost the BIA’s efforts to draw tourism, promote small businesses and attract investment. When small businesses thrive, Mississauga thrives.”

The Main Street Revitalization Initiative is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and administered by AMO. The funding is being distributed among Mississauga’s four Business Improvement Areas (BIAs): Clarkson, Malton, Port Credit and Streetsville as well as the downtown.

“I’d like to congratulate Port Credit on the completion of their Main Street Revitalization project. Vibrant main streets in Mississauga help attract visitors, create jobs and increase the competitiveness of small businesses, which are the backbone of our communities,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “The Main Street Revitalization Initiative helps communities enhance and revitalize main streets and demonstrates that Ontario is open for business.”

“We’ve identified priority projects through consultation with ward councillors and the BIAs. Projects will focus on Mississauga’s downtown core and key neighbourhoods,” said Paul Mitcham, Commissioner, Community Services. “Continued partnerships with our BIAs are imperative in order to enhance our streetscapes and drive economic success.”

The first beautification project to be completed in Mississauga was the installation of new waste receptacles in Port Credit, aimed at keeping its main streets clean. Other beautification projects being managed by the City’s BIA’s include enhanced signage, benches, new planters and flowers.

Mitcham added, “These enhancements will help create a cleaner and greener city that will attract residents and visitors to Mississauga’s diverse neighbourhoods, while benefiting its robust small business community.”

Program guidelines state that the funding must apply to work that has been endorsed through a Community Improvement Plan or municipal physical infrastructure priorities that involves construction, renewal, renovation or redevelopment. The City is not required to contribute or match funding for this initiative and will have until March 2020 to use the funding.

Background
BIAs are vibrant networks of community members dedicated to Mississauga’s unique neighbourhoods and villages. As valued City partners and champions of the communities they serve, BIAs oversee the beautification and maintenance of neighbourhoods, promote and support local businesses and implement programs and activities that benefit both residents and visitors. The City supports the BIAs in advancing their projects and creating a world-class city where people can live, work and play.

The Main Street Revitalization Initiative provides $26 million in funding to help municipal governments undertake main street revitalization activities that support and benefit small businesses. All municipalities are eligible for funding and the funding formula was established without the need for an application or matching funds.

For more information on the Main Street Revitalization Initiative, visit amo.on.ca/MainStreetRevitalizationInitiative.