Brampton - Downtown Brampton property and business owners elected a new Board of Directors for the Brampton Downtown Development Corporation at their 2nd Annual General Meeting held on March 26. The BDDC was launched in 2006 with an ambitious mandate to strengthen the prosperity, quality and vitality of Downtown Brampton.

Mayor Susan Fennell delivered a keynote address to more than 70 people at The Rose Theatre. The Mayor's presentation highlighted numerous initiatives that are shaping the downtown from transportation, the arts and heritage conservation to new residential and commercial development projects.

"I am here today to assure you, as your Mayor, that I, your Council and indeed your municipal government recognize the great potential of our downtown, and that this potential can and will be realized through a combination of restoration, revitalization and redevelopment, and I continue to pledge to make downtown Brampton a major focus of my administration until we get the job done!"

The newly elected 2008-2009 Board of Directors includes: Richard Prouse, Neil Davis, David Harmsworth, Don Naylor, Scott Goodison, Sean Trueland and Regional Councillors Elaine Moore, Grant Gibson and John Sanderson.

"As chair of the BDDC, it is rewarding for me to work with such a dedicated Board of Directors, who are passionate about the downtown," said Richard Prouse.

One of the Board's top priorities in 2008 will be the development of a new 3-Year Business Plan. BDDC President, Karen Campbell, outlined six strategic goals that have been approved by the Board.

"Developing marketing materials and a strategy for attracting new businesses and investment will be a top priority for the BDDC in 2008," said Ms.Campbell.

As part of the AGM program, the BDDC also presented Façade Improvement Awards to four downtown property owners and businesses that renovated the exterior façade of their buildings in 2006 and 2007.

Awards were presented to: Goodison Insurance & Financial Services (36 Queen St. E.), The Renaissance Presentation Centre by Alterra (73 Main St. N.), Coffee Culture Café & Eatery (8 Queen St. E.) and 257364 Investments Limited (115-121 Queen St. W.). In receiving his award, Goodison Insurance President, Scott Goodison said, "I hope it will encourage others downtown to take up the challenge to create a unique and attractive streetscape".

Photograph of Façade Improvement Award Winner
(Left to right) Regional Councillor Grant Gibson, Scott Goodison, Goodison Insurance and Richard Prouse, Chair, BDDC

To download a copy of the BDDC 2007 Annual Report, click on the following link: www.bramptondowntown.com/KBDDC_0322_Print.pdf

About the BDDC
The BDDC was launched in 2006 with an ambitious mandate to strengthen the prosperity, quality and vitality of Downtown Brampton.

This new organization builds on the success of the former Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) - the Brampton Downtown Business Association (BDBA), which primarily served to beautify downtown, promote the area as a business centre and be an advocate for downtown businesses and property owners.

The BDDC, a public-private partnership with the City of Brampton, has an expanded mandate that includes marketing to attract new business and investment in residential, commercial and institutional development.