Downtown BIA budget set for 2021
The Downtown Business Improvement Area's budget for 2021 was approved by council.
The decision, largely a formality with the BIA board establishing the annual budget, is required to be completed by May 1 each year under provincial legislation.
The budget will come in at $157,354, down by about 25 per cent after the organization spent $202,134 in 2020.
Of the revenue collected, the bulk will come from landlords and businesses at $104,600.
“The BIA does a great amount of work to keep our downtown business community healthy and thriving,” Mayor John Borrowman said.
Chelsey Richardson, the Town’s manager of finance, noted the previous two years haven’t seen an increase in the levy due to the financial impact of COVID-19.
The remaining amount will come from lease revenue and grants. Among the expenses are administrative costs, marketing and lease expenses.
The levy charged per business ranges from $250 at the lower end and go to $4,700. According to the report, 94 businesses pay the levy.
The rate each business is required to pay is established by a BIA regulation and takes into consideration the frontage on the main downtown street, frontage on other streets and whether there’s a lower, rear or upper unit.
Business registry Bylaw updated for busking
An update to the Town’s business registry bylaw will have new policies for buskers to follow.
Town council unanimously approved the changes, which also amended language to be gender neutral. The specific alterations to the Town’s busking policy came after requests from businesses and advocacy groups.
“Busking has long been a way to increase community vibrancy,” the report said. “In Canmore busking has not been permitted outside of the Mountain Market or at events, however increasingly buskers are showing up in our community and are met with mixed response.”
The decision will require buskers to get a permit, which will give the Town more management on where and how people busk, the report stated.
The new bylaw will give the Town the opportunity to restrict times and areas where busking may occur and revoke permits from those who cause more noise and may lead to complaints.
Busking locations are set at the Civic Centre Plaza, Friendship Park, Riverside Park and Elevation Place plaza, but additional locations can be allowed by written request and letters of support. They can perform between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 1 to Oct. 31.
A busking licence will cost $32.50, the same rate as the micro-business licence. The report estimated the Town would issue between 20 to 40 busking licences per year and bring in $650 to $1,300 in revenue.
The update was the first since 2015, which according to the staff report, has seen a 27 per cent increase in revenue in that time.
While public health restrictions are in place due to COVID-19, the Town could temporarily restrict permits.
Business Resiliency Grant program adjusted
The Business Resiliency Grant program had a budget increase of $25,000 approved unanimously by council.
The program, which saw significant demand last year, will be bumped up to $75,000 from its previously approved $50,000. The money will come from a grant from Community Futures Centre West.
Eleanor Miclette, the Town’s manager of economic development, said there were 10 applicants before Good Friday and she expects more interest from businesses.
She said funding has gone to help businesses hire an accountant for grant applications, human resources help and establishing technical for employees to work from home.
Council previously gave the OK for the Business 2 Business Voucher program e-commerce edition in the 2021 budget, which focused on website development and enhancement. The Town was later approached by Community Futures Centre West to provide additional economic help, according to the report.
The report highlighted the voucher program was a success last year, which helped applicants with marketing, human resources, IT and accounting needs. However, due to demand, applications had to be closed after a few weeks.
Community Grant program suspended, Recovery Grant program created for one year
Council voted to suspend the Community Grant program for one year and the funding be redirected into a new Recovery Grant program.
The switch in funding – $30,000 for initiative-based grants and $50,000 for event grants – is intended to help local groups in the recovery from COVID-19.
The purpose of the Recovery Grant program is to help with operational costs and 50 per cent of funding for project costs.
“As Canmore begins to shift into pandemic recovery, there is opportunity to modify the grant program and support our non-profit groups with creating a strong foundation for community,” the report stated. “As a result, new and innovative projects may not be what community needs right now.”
The Community Grant program is meant to give up to 50 per cent of total expenses between $5,000 and $10,000 for a one-time project that’s new and innovative in the community.
Eligible organizations for the grant are community organizations and not-for-profit events, and societies focused on sport, recreation, art, culture, ethno-culture, social service, economic improvement and the environment. All applications have to show the money will help programming, services and events “that are designed to increase residents’ connection to the community, strengthen informal support systems, and help create a vibrant mountain community."
The deadline will be May 31 to apply and successful applicants have up to 18 months to use their funding.
