Adam Rice, the new director of the Business Improvement Area (BIA), has spent the past two months of his two-year term getting to know the downtown business community.
As both a business owner and advocate, Rice believes the BIA should be more than just a tool for improving shopping and foot traffic.
Rice, who has owned Elevate Baths, located downtown for nearly two years, says his main goal is to build a sense of community among business owners. He admitted that before stepping into his role, he hadn’t met many of his fellow business owners. Now, he wants to change that by encouraging more communication and collaboration.
One initiative to strengthen these connections is a new monthly networking event. Unlike traditional business meetups, Rice envisions these gatherings as social events where business owners can come together, share their challenges, and support one another.
He emphasized that many businesses are struggling, especially during tough economic times, and the BIA should be there to listen and help. For those looking to learn more about the BIA or get involved, visit www.downtownstrathroy.ca or follow them on Instagram.
Written by: K. Milhomens