NEWS RELEASE: Bronte BIA Animates Its New Public Square with High-Impact Placemaking
The Our Square, Our Story Project received My Main Street support to draw visitors to the district and increase vibrancy in Bronte Village
October 3, 2024 –Oakville, ON –The Bronte BIA is pleased to announce that its Our Square, Our Story project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator and has received support to shape the social and physical character of Bronte Market Square through public art, infrastructure, music & culture, and a first-ever Farmers’ Market.
The Our Square, Our Story project uses high impact placemaking and community engagement to invigorate Bronte’s new community asset – Bronte Market Square – into a place that encourages community connections, drives visitor traffic to the commercial area and inspires playful interactions.
This Fall, the Square will be transformed with a co-created participatory ground mural led by STEPS Public Art. The mural will celebrate the character of Bronte, inspire community stewardship over the space and bring the community together to paint a picture (literally and figuratively) of what it aspires to be. For eight weeks this past summer, Bronte Market Square welcomed 45 vendors and 2,500+ visitors every Sunday to its first-ever Farmers’ Market. The Market also welcomed 16 local musicians who created a unique cultural experience for passersby and augmented Bronte’s reputation as a hub for arts & culture.
The Our Square, Our Story project serves as a community-driven pathway forward in achieving a socially and economically healthy neighbourhood. To learn more about the Our Square, Our Story project, visit:
bronte-village.ca/the-bronte-bias-our-square-our-story-project-receives-my-main-street-support
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.
Quotes
“The generous support we’ve received from the My Main Street Community Activator is invigorating a public space that has been underutilized, but has the potential to be a vital place that strengthens feelings of connection and inclusion, encourages people to linger and spurs economic activity in Bronte Village.”
- Kylie Wilson, Executive Director, Bronte BIA
“STEPS is thrilled to collaborate with the Bronte BIA on this transformative public art project that will add a sense of whimsy and joy to their cultural landscape – inviting community members to interact with the installation and each other. Our approach is to work closely with the community, using thoughtful planning and creative collaboration, to create a mural that truly reflects and celebrates Bronte. This project will beautify this public space and deepen the connection between the community and the arts. We look forward to the positive impact this artwork will bring and to celebrating its completion.”
- Anjuli Solanki, Program Director, STEPS Public Art
“Main streets are at the social and economic heart of community life in cities and towns across southern Ontario. They mobilize social capital to generate economic development opportunities. The enhancements the Bronte BIA are implementing in Bronte Market Square will not only attract visitors and increase foot traffic, but will contribute to the collective infrastructure, strengthening the downtown core as a vibrant and inclusive place for everyone.”
– Mary W. Rowe, CEO and President, Canadian Urban Institute
“Canadian Urban Institute, with support from the Government of Canada, is investing in community projects, such as the Bronte BIA’s Our Square, Our Story project. These projects attract visitors to our main streets, support local businesses, and revitalize our communities – helping shops, restaurants and local economies thrive. Together, we’re building stronger, more vibrant communities.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Associated Links
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Media Contacts
Kylie Wilson
Executive Director
Bronte BIA
Samantha Staresincic
Communications Manager
My Main Street
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Background:
About My Main Street: About My Main Street: The My Main Street program has returned with an additional Government of Canada investment, building on an initial investment in 2021, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to spur local economic recovery. To date, the initial 2021 investment has supported nearly 4,500 businesses and organizations, nearly 7,500 jobs and leveraged nearly $19 million in additional investment. The funding aims to revitalize neighbourhood main streets with a healthy retail mix while generating inclusive economic opportunities. The program now features two streams – Business Sustainability and the Community Activator. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).
About Canadian Urban Institute (CUI): The Canadian Urban Institute is a leading organization dedicated to advancing urban solutions. CUI collaborates with city builders, researchers, and community leaders to create thriving, equitable, and sustainable urban spaces across Canada.
About FedDev Ontario:For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
