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
- Earl Taylor – Chair – Coldwell Banker Star Real Estate + Member of Special Events Committee
- Grayden Laing – Vice Chair – Laing Studios / Establish Media
- Tina Swaenepoel – Treasurer – Employment Services Elgin
- Jolie Inthavong – Secretary – The Longbox
- Julie Hosford – Promotions Chair – A Handmade Tale
- Dave Thomson – Promotions Co-Chair – MYFM
- Vanessa Buckland – Beautification Chair – Lockwood Books
- Reza Alavie – Yurek Pharmacy Home Healthcare
- Susan Boldt – Limitless Tattoos + Member of CIP Committee
- 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
2022 AGM Report
As approved at the January 18, 2023 Annual General Meeting
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