Hamilton vows $750,000 to help businesses in BIAs

Funding to back programs for art projects and street festivals

Hamilton is projected to spend $750,000 over two years to support the city’s retail and commercial outlets within business improvement areas that have been buffeted by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The city’s Jan. 12 general issues committee agreed to spend the money to offset city fees in 2022 as part of the temporary outdoor patio program, including application fees, road closing permits, traffic safety measures and parking meter charges.

The funding would also back programs for art installations, murals, street festivals and artists. A temporary two-year position will also be established to oversee the program. Councillors will vote on the recommendation at their Jan. 19 meeting.

“I think the city has a role to play as in the past to help us through this,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who introduced the motion. “This is one additional thing we can do in the upcoming year that I’m sure will make a difference to the businesses impacted.”

Mountain Coun. Esther Pauls, who is also chair of the business improvement area advisory committee, said she told the members at a recent meeting the city does support local businesses.

“I told them we had their backs,” she said. “Council is supporting the BIAs. We want people to shop locally.”

The motion emerged from the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery that presented 103 recommendations to council in December 2020 to assist businesses during the disruption of the pandemic.

Bolstering small businesses and BIAs during COVID-19 restrictions has been one of many initiatives that were recommended by the task force. Other proposals that have become reality include holding a “Hamilton Day” campaign in support of local businesses on Nov. 20, 2021; a fair wages policy for musicians; Hamilton was awarded the 2023 Grey Cup; and the city provided an additional $10,000 to each BIA in support of local businesses.

Councillors will also be discussing a staff report that will make the city’s temporary patio expansion policy adopted during the pandemic a permanent fixture. More than 200 businesses took advantage of it in 2021.

Planning and economic general manager Jason Thorne said the funding isn’t a direct grant to nonprofit organizations. Instead, the money can be used by BIAs for street fairs and festivals that will attract people into those areas. He said the money will help offset various city fees it requires for holding such events, such as road closures and other permits.

“This is really about city-led programs for people to come to their commercial areas,” said Thorne.