​Kincardine receives Ontario BIA Association Award of Merit

The Municipality of Kincardine, along with Bruce County and the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, has received an Award of Merit from the Ontario Business Improve Area Association.

The association recognizes innovative programs in revitalization, support and improvements for downtowns. The Municipality of Kincardine, the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, and Bruce County, won two awards at the association’s awards gala during the 2024 Annual BIA Conference, April 29.

Bruce County was awarded two association ‘Awards of Excellence’.

Kincardine and the county won the ‘Award of Merit,’ in the ‘Streetscape and Public Realm Improvement’ category for the “Here for You” vandalism incident downtown in 2023.

Arran-Elderslie and the county won the ‘Award of Merit,’ in the ‘Communications’ category for the development of the Tara and Chesley Community Branding Guidelines and Façade Guidelines.

The association recognized these two programs that were developed through Bruce County’s Spruce the Bruce program and the program’s leadership role in strengthening and promoting downtown physical improvements and revitalization.

“Collaboration among Bruce County, the partnered municipalities, entrepreneurs, and residents is what has made these programs successful,” said Jeffrey Loney, economic development manager for the county. “The Spruce the Bruce program uses a co-ordinated approach to revitalizing our downtowns and can pivot and adjust to adapt.”

The county is pleased to be able to help support the growth and development of the communities by supporting local businesses, municipalities, and community partners with tools and grant opportunities through the Spruce the Bruce program.

“It’s certainly an honour for our community to receive this Award of Merit,” said Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig. “I’ve said it many times: we’re better together, and working to support the Kincardine BIA and impacted businesses during the unfortunate vandalism incident in Lakeside Downtown Kincardine showcases that truth beautifully.”

“Thank you to Bruce County for its partnership with our community in developing a successful branding program for Tara and Chesley,” said Arran-Elderslie mayor Steve Hammell. “This work was essential for these communities to benefit from future revitalization opportunities and funding programs, such as such as Spruce the Bruce. We are proud to have been acknowledged with this ‘Award of Merit’ which recognizes the importance of continuous community improvement.”

Spruce the Bruce is a regional community improvement initiative created by the county which focuses on making downtowns within Bruce County more livable, attractive and economically viable.  

Additional information about the Spruce the Bruce program can be found at: www.investinbruce.ca/about/programs-projects/spruce-the-bruce/.



Bruce County warden Chris Peabody, joins Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig (right) and Kincardine downtown development manager Amanda Goetz accept the awards from the Ontario BIA Asociation