Our History
In 2008, in response to growing interest from area businesses, the Main Street Dartmouth & Area Business Improvement District Association was legally formed and registered as a non-profit organization.
In 2015, we changed our name to The Village on Main Community Improvement District. While legally we are still registered as a Business Improvement District, we consider ourselves to be a Community Improvement District because the work we do benefits more than just businesses. We are more than just a Main Street; we are a community.
In 2023 we re-branded with a new logo that better reflects who we are today and in the future. We are a community with strong roots, poised for growth and change. Just as a tree has deep roots and leaves changing with the seasons. We are POISED FOR GROWTH.
Our Role
As a Business Improvement District (BID), The Village on Main is an association whose members are comprised of commercial property owners and tenants within a defined area that works in partnership with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to create thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract new businesses, customers and residents. By working cooperatively as a BID, we have the ability to be vehicles for civic improvements, enhancing the quality of life in our local community and the Municipality as a whole.
As a legal organization mandated by provincial legislation, BIDs are able to develop a budget for improvements and, through the HRM, collect a levy from businesses in the area to raise the necessary funds. The area includes Tacoma Drive, Lakecrest Ave and part of Main Street (from the NSCC campus to the parclo).
BIDs can improve their local economies through activities such as:
- Street and sidewalk maintenance and capital improvements
- Promotion of the BID as a business, employment, tourist or shopping area (business directories, festivals, advertising, web site, social media)
- Hosting community festivals and events
- Beautification initiatives (banners, flower beds, murals)
- Safety, security and crime prevention initiatives
- Graffiti and poster removal services respecting building facades visible from the street
- Strategic plans for business recruitment, market studies and capital improvements
- Advocate on behalf of their membership as a unified voice
What BIDs Do Not Do
- Build new developments (e.g. residential or commercial buildings)
- Approve new developments, rezoning applications, etc
- Approve planning and land use bylaw changes
As a BID we are not responsible for planning, development or infrastructure changes which do or do not occur in the Village on Main. This responsibility rests with HRM staff and council.
Vision, Mission & Strategic Goals
Vision
“An inclusive and sustainable community where spaces and neighbours are welcoming and connected.”
Our vision is to create an intimate, walkable community whose mixed-use diversity of commercial and residential space creates an area for everyone. We want to be friendly, green, accessible, inclusive, and collaborate with our community to make sure everyone’s voices are heard.
Mission
Creating an Urban Village by supporting our businesses and enhancing public infrastructure to facilitate a welcoming community for people and businesses.
Values
The Village on Main has developed a set of values that all initiatives that we undertake must be:
SUSTAINABLE and ACCESSIBLE,
FRIENDLY and INCLUSIVE,
GREEN and COLLABORATIVE
Strategic Goals
In line with our key values, in early 2020, new Strategic Goals were adopted by The Village on Main that reflect our vison, mission and values.
Governance and Membership: To build organizational capacity & strengthen the BID’s ability to be responsive to constituents.
Marketing and Promotions: To improve the branding and marketing of the district and bring more pedestrian traffic into the area.
Advocacy: To provide constituents with a medium / mechanism for communicating collective concerns and interests to relevant parties, and for effecting positive change.
Enhanced Maintenance and Beautification: To enhance the experiences of visitors to the community, to enhance pride of place, to discourage vandalism, and to improve the street-level image of the district.
Safety and Security: To improve the sense of security and well-being in the area and surrounding areas, and to keep the community safer.
Business Recruitment and Retention: To promote a desirable business and service mix, to achieve vacancy reduction, to market to investors, and to attract financial incentives for new and expanding businesses.
Map of the Area
Where Are We? The Village on Main, Community Improvement District extends from Highway 111, along the Main Street corridor to Caledonia Road between Lakecrest Drive and Tacoma Drive.
Board Members
Lori Edgar
Danielle DeMone
Landy Steele
Doug Wilson
Ryan Everest
Chuck Douthwaite
Kristine Jen Barcena
Leanne Murchinson
Richard Landzaat
Staff Superheroes
Over the years we have had some amazing students, interns, Co-op students and even volunteers join us for a short time to share their expertise. Each one of them were treated like contract workers and took ownership of any projects we asked of them. In some cases, because of their background, they identified projects that we hadn’t considered would help us with our mission. Their work continues to amaze us, and some projects remain relevant and on our website. We’d like to share their profiles, explaining the work that they did for us and in many cases where they are now! They truly are our Super Heroes!
Devon Armstrong
Kira Norgren
Rachel Ferris
Ben Ricketts
Katie Fanning
Mary McGaffey
Athieera Paatil
Happy Places
James Coons
Jacob Quinton
Brianna Maxwell
Michael Hart
Dana Baker
Sharon Moses
Emilie Pothier
Jesse Murray
Danielle-Belanger
Stephen McIntosh
Margareta Boivin
Brenden Lamb
CID
Andrew Scanlan Dickie
Molly Fredeen
