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CBIA’s vital role in the community set to be renewed for another three years

Many facets of the organization fly under the radar, but pandemic made its support more prominent
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Chemainus Business Improvement Association president Chris Istace. (Photo by Don Bodger)

North Cowichan council has given three readings toward renewing the Chemainus Business Improvement Association function for another three years.

A letter went out to businesses in the Business Improvement Area to confirm the tax levy they’re already paying. There’s a misconception based on how the letter reads that the levy is an addition to current taxes paid per assessments and that the CBIA has increased the BIA taxation rates this year, but that’s not the case according to executive director Krystal Adams. “In fact, rates have not been increased over the last five years and we are dedicated to keeping it that for the foreseeable future,” she indicated.

The CBIA essentially flies under the radar for some folks in the community and board members are OK with that, but the work done by the organization is important to the town even if those contributions sometimes go unrecognized.

“It is not about us, it’s about the businesses and the people driving those businesses that matter most,” said Adams. “We aren’t supposed to be a public facing association. We don’t need to be known, we just need to be present and representing the town in as many places as possible.”

Adams joined the CBIA almost six years ago and has been the driving force behind the organization along with a dedicated board of directors.

“Our directors are passionate about change and constantly moving things forward,” she added. “It is especially exciting this year at the opportunity to potentially open things up more than last year. We have some great ideas but moreover a great board who will be supporting and conceptualizing new initiatives.”

Chris Istace of Beyond The Usual is back for a second non-consecutive term as president, with Warren Goulding of Askew Creek Publishing as vice chair.

“Last year was hard for all businesses, but the community support has kept all of us afloat and it has been amazing,” Adams noted. “At the CBIA we acknowledge this and are looking forward to showing you what we have planned for this year.”

What the CBIA does and why it’s important may not be widely known, but almost everyone in town has been to its events, taken advantage of its initiatives and seen the beautiful flower baskets brought in and managed every year. This is just scratching the surface, with the organization forming the backbone for promoting businesses and tourism in the community for more than 10 years.

Related story: CBIA ad campaign a business booster

The CBIA is seen as the advertising, marketing and promotional arm for the town, responsible for the picturesque banners along Chemainus Road and the Trans Canada Highway. Besides the visuals, there is much that goes on through the community website and background projects.

In addition to tourism initiatives, the CBIA organizes community events like the Halloween celebrations, Pumpkin Spice Run and Beer Fest as well as granting organizations with funds to help run their programming.

“Each year we open up a granting program to help organizations with financial shortfalls,” Adams pointed out. “They have to meet specific guidelines, and for what we do we don’t have a lot of money ourselves, but it is important to support our community as a whole, and the board sees immense value in this.”

In past years, thousands in funding has been directed to support organizations like the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society, the arts in various formats, extended houses in the tourism centre, local community projects, community events and other larger proposals and grants.

The CBIA also advocates for the town on important issues, sitting on local and regional boards to make sure Chemainus is heard and organizing the Chemainus Community Communications Group. It’s hoped to start that group again in the next few months which puts all local non-profit organization leaders into one room – or virtually if still required by the pandemic – to discuss important issues, challenges and promote working together.

When there is an issue in town, the CBIA advocates for business groups, coming up with ideas for support and providing education and one-on-one consulting.

Unlike membership, a small portion of business taxes based on commercial property locations are redirected to funding the organization. The last term expires in May of 2021. For last week’s special council meeting, a comprehensive report was presented and passed the motion to continue the organization’s funding.

Council will be proceeding to reestablish the CBIA unless a valid petition is presented by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 3. See details in the North Cowichan advertisement on Page 6.

“Because we don’t function as a traditional town, nor do we as Chemainus have access to grants to fund specific things because we fall under the municipality blanket, the Chemainus BIA takes on a lot of additional actions and initiatives that normally would not fall under a traditional BIA’s directive,” noted Istace.

“Working with the Chamber, we are advocating for more attention on economic development and awareness opportunities in Chemainus because as of right now we have no direct representation. We are lobbying Economic Development Cowichan and the municipality to raise their efforts. It would be a loss not just for the businesses but also the community as a whole to lose an organization like this that is instrumental to the town.”

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Chemainus Business Improvement Association executive director Krystal Adams. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Chemainus Business Improvement Association.
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CBIA billboard on the Trans Canada Highway on the approach to Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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