Window Decorating, Spreading Joy, Tree Lighting, PPE Grant, Coupon Collection & More

   

Window Decorating Contest

Your storefronts are looking fantastic everyone!  What a treat to walk Downtown for some good ol’ fashioned window shopping!   If you have not had a chance to decorate yet, there’s still time!   And don’t forget, the BIA, in partnership with In the Hills Magazine and Green Monkey Creative, will award the grand prize winner with a marketing package worth $1500!   You will also receive design services from Green Monkey Creative to create your custom ad. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram with your entry @downtownoville, or email us with a photo so that we will be sure to see it! A panel of judges will decide the winner on December 15th. 2020 Holiday Windows: BIA, Dragonfly Arts, The Altered Native, Suzanne Gardner Flowers

Spread Joy this Holiday Season - Our Good News Story this Week!

The crew from Branching Out Support Services wanted to find a way to bring joy to the Downtown community. They have been very busy making some holiday ornaments that can be displayed in windows, on trees, or anywhere at your place of business to spread some holiday joy.  The Branching Out team would be very excited to see some of their ornaments on display in the community!  They are happy to drop off to your place of business (free of charge!) and can attach ribbons to any of the wooden pieces for anyone who would like that option. Please contact Sara Clarke: sarabranchingout@gmail.com to request your ornaments! Thank you for helping to spread joy!  We encourage you to read more about Branching Out Support Services here: At Branching Out it is our joy to serve people who have developmental differences and their families. We do this with community, choice, and creativity. We are committed to creative care solutions, recreation, and social programming, 1:1 support, and day programming. The vision of Branching Out Support Services is to provide stable and long term relationships, opportunities, therapeutic service, and solutions for individuals in our community regardless of age, race, religious background, sexuality, or other barriers they may face in day to day living.  We are working towards a future with a fully inclusive community that is accepting of all people and we are committed to working towards that vision.

Tree Lighting

Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s beautiful 30ft tall tree! Since we can’t have a live event this year, the BIA and some very special guests have been busy putting together a video for release on Monday. Be sure to check out our Facebook page Monday evening and share with your followers to help spread the Holiday Cheer!      

Important Reminder: Central Counties Tourism Reimbursement Application

If you are in the tourism industry, Central Counties Tourism would like to offset some of your PPE (personal protective equipment) costs by offering to pay 50% of your expenses up to a maximum of $1,000 ($2,000 total expense). Plexiglass, sanitizing stations, masks, stickers, etc., that you needed to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 by keeping your staff and guests safe are all eligible expenses for reimbursement (patios heaters too!). WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Any York, Durham or Headwaters private or not-for-profit business in the hospitality and recreation sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, accommodators, attractions, tour operators, specialty retail, restaurants, art/culture spaces, museums, heritage sites, conservation/nature areas, etc. Please click here to access the application.  

Gift Certificate & Coupon Collection Next Week

If you have any Downtown Gift Certificates or Coupons that were redeemed at your store, please email Julia (ambassador@downtownorangeville.ca) and she will collect them from you and issue your re-imbursement via cheque or Visa payment.   Please ensure that a copy of the original transaction receipt is attached (or write the details on the back: date & transaction amount).  

Digital Main Street Grant: Deadline Fast Approaching!

The Digital Main Street Grants Program is open until November 30th. Don’t miss your change to apply for a Digital Transformation Grant of $2,500! We are so happy to hear that many of you applied and were awarded funds to improve your website, purchase equipment, hire a social media marketer, and more! Apply here http://bit.ly/DigitalMainStreetOnt and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!   Looking forward to seeing you for Starlight Shopping tonight!