What is the DDB

MISSION

To cultivate a community of all downtown property and business owners and residents, while advocating, beautifying and actively promoting our businesses and authentic heritage in Downtown St Thomas

VISION

To engage, inspire and welcome our community and visitors to experience Downtown St Thomas as a unique destination

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Business Improvement Area as defined in the Municipal Act, 2001

The St Thomas Downtown Development Board is a volunteer based Committee  of Council tasked to:

204. (a) to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of  municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and (b) to promote the area as a business or shopping area.

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2023 Board of Directors

  • Grayden Laing – Chair – Laing Studios / Establish Media + Member of Special Events Committee
  • Earl Taylor – Past Chair – Coldwell Banker Star Real Estate
  • Tina Swaenepoel – Treasurer – Employment Services Elgin
  • Jolie Inthavong – Secretary
  • Dave Thomson – Promotions Chair – MYFM
  • Vanessa Buckland – Beautification Chair – Lockwood Books
  • Reza Alavie – Yurek Pharmacy Home Healthcare
  • Renee Carpenter – Jennings Furniture
  • Jennifer Childs – Purely Wicked
  • Ian Gillespie – Oh My Fur and Whiskers
  • Duane Orth – Entegrus
  • Russell Schnurr – Fanshawe College + Member of CIP and Heritage Committee
  • Sarah Van Pelt – Van Pelts Business Solutions

Advisors

  • Sean Dyke – St Thomas Economic Development Corporation
  • Megan Pickersgill – Railway City Tourism
  • Adrienne Griffin – St Thomas Parks and Recreation
  • Paul Jenkins – St Thomas & District Chamber of  Commerce
  • Sarah Lynch – Small Business Enterprise Centre
  • Sarah Noble – Small Business Enterprise Centre
  • Elle Crevitts – Small Business Enterprise Centre
  • Dana Vanzanten – St Thomas Public Library
  • Mayor Joe Preston – Council Representative

2023 AGM Report

As approved at the January 31, 2024 Annual General Meeting

Strategic Plan

In January 2018, the St Thomas Downtown Development Board approved and released it’s first Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan will be used to guide the decision making process in developing and improving it’s beautification and promotion efforts in Downtown St Thomas. The plan can be viewed by clicking here: APPROVED DDB Strategic Plan January 31 2018