LOCAL business owners are being urged to avail of the opportunity to take a lead role in building a more prosperous and vibrant Strabane town centre by becoming a board member in the new Business Improvement District (BID) scheme.
Earlier this year Strabane voted overwhelmingly in favour of the project which is set to be rolled out over the next five years from October when a steering company is formed.
The BID allows the local business fraternity to invest funds to improve the town centre and its environment in return for paying an additional tax levy.
The new company will invest almost £100,000 in its first year and will work collectively to identify priorities and coordinate solutions to increase footfall for trading and bring more tourists to the town.
A task group oversaw the process of consultation and completion of a five year BID plan but applications are now being sought from levy paying business people to form a new company board of directors to implement those proposals.
Commenting on this next step in the process, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hillary McClintock, urged the local business fraternity to now take ownership of the scheme.
“These are exciting times for Strabane and the additional funding from the Business Improvement District scheme will undoubtedly help unlock the town centre’s commercial potential,” she said.
“No-one has a more in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing local traders than our business owners and this is a unique opportunity for them to shape a brighter and more prosperous future for the area.”
Strabane recorded the highest ‘Yes’ vote for the scheme of any town in the UK or Northern Ireland with 95% of local business owners giving it their backing in April.
The BID Company will be limited by guarantee and its finances are separate to the board’s personal finances.
The new company will be registered comprising a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a Company Secretary with a maximum of 12 directors.
Positions on the board will be voluntary and are unpaid. The Directors, where possible, will be appointed to reflect the various business categories located in the town from both privately owned local businesses and national companies.
Directors will meet between six and 12 times a year and take account of the interests of all levy payers and not just those of their own business sector or geographical area.
For further information on becoming a director and an application form e mail [email protected] or contact BID Officer Catherine Collins on 028 71253 253.
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