Local businesses thank Barrhaven BIA in video montage

April 22, 2021 2 min read

By Barrhaven Independent Staff

While the Barrhaven Business Improvement Area has been busy assisting local businesses for the past 13 months, the organization was surprised with a video tribute from the business community, thanking them for their hard work.

From the onset of the pandemic in March, 2020, the Barrhaven BIA has been sending out weekly emails to the local business community, as well as holding weekly Zoom calls to discuss issues facing local businesses.

Extremeline Productions, who had produced a series of video profiles promoting Barrhaven businesses, surprised the BBIA with a video that was a montage of thank you’s from various Barrhaven business owners.

“How humbling is that for our incredible Board and team,” said BBIA Chair Jason MacDonald. “So proud, just awesome!”

The BBIA contracted Extremeline Productions, a contractor to Invest Ottawa, through its Digital Main Street program. The videographers surprised BBIA Board and Staff with a touching tribute to their hard work.

Barrhaven business people and Extremeline Productions produced this video montage of appreciation for the Barrhaven BIA.

“This is incredible” responded the Barrhaven BIA’s Marketing Chair, Mark Dickie, upon watching the video. Dickie called the video “a powerful testament for our organization.”

The importance of the BBIA’s work is increasing with the latest restrictions imposed by the Ontario Government through its strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the third wave of the virus.

According to Barrhaven BIA Executive Director Andrea Steenbakkers, the Barrhaven BIA is working on new and creative ways to best assist its members. She said it has been incredibly important for the BBIA to demonstrate thoughtful and meaningful leadership to help businesses navigate through the ongoing economic changes and challenges. They have been continuously updating their communications and service delivery plans to ensure that businesses are being well-supported by developing a wide range of effective tools.

“Developing and maintaining excellent communication channels between our members, with our stakeholder partners, both locally and across the Province, and the local community has been a key focus since the pandemic started,” Steenbakkers said.

In their weekly Zoom call Wednesday morning, BBIA members discussed the latest measures imposed by the province on businesses, as well as various grants and programs available to certain businesses. The BBIA also indicated it was looking for ways to promote Mother’s Day in the Barrhaven.