About Downtown Improvement Area

About the Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (OSDIA)

The Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (OSDIA) was formed by downtown merchants in 1973 under provisions established in the Municipal Act, 2001. The OSDIA is committed to developing a vibrant, visitor friendly downtown core to attract and retain business in downtown Owen Sound.

OSDIA Board of Management

The OSDIA Board of Management is comprised of members elected to represent the interests of downtown merchants, City Councillors and is supported by City of Owen Sound staff.

The OSDIA Board of Management and staff are committed to maintaining and developing the downtown community, and provide a welcoming experience for residents and visitors. 

OSDIA Board of Management Members:

Dave Parsons, Chair (Proprietor of Parsons Foto Source) e: parsons@fotosource.com	Jacquie Furtner, Vice-Chair (Proprietor of barebirch) e: jacquie@barebirch.ca	Kathy Hannen, Treasurer (Proprietor of Grey Bruce Business Services)  e: info@gbbs.ca
Jennifer Barclay, Director (Sales Associtate, Scenic City Game Emporium ) e: jenniferegbarclay@outlook.com	Dianne Mattice, Director  (Proprietor of The Rocking Horse) e: rhmattice@hotmail.com	Councillor Brian O’Leary (City Council Rep) e: boleary@owensound.ca
Ron Cole, Director (Proprietor of Dr Cobbler Shoes & Swirls)  ​e:  dr.cobbler@hotmail.com	Councillor Marion Koepke (City Council Rep) e: mkoepke@owensound.ca	Peter Reid, Director (Proprietor of Tibbs Management) e:  pete.reid@tibbsmanagement.ca
Lois Taylor, Director  (D.C. Taylor Jewellers) e: ltaylor@dctaylor.com

OSDIA Board of Management Meetings

The OSDIA Board of Management meets monthly to discuss and provide direction on events, downtown appearance, concerns of local business operators and residents and Board administration.

Meetings are generally held at the City of Owen Sound City Hall in the Council Chambers. All are welcome to attend.

A full listing of meeting dates, agenda and minutes can be found on Civicweb. 

Vision and Mission Statement

The vision statement of the OSDIA is:

Growing a vibrant, safe and fun Downtown.

The OSDIA Mission Statement provides a clear understanding of who and what the OSDIA represents:

The Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area is committed to providing effective leadership in the ongoing development of the membership area as a vibrant and sustainable business, cultural and residential community. We will achieve this goal by supporting initiatives aimed at improving, beautifying, and promoting the membership area on behalf of all our members. 

Benefits

With the wide ranging needs of a diverse downtown community, the OSDIA Board continues to work towards developing policy, programs and resources that benefit merchants and business throughout the downtown. Examples include:

• Enhanced downtown maintenance (cleaning, watering, weeding, etc.)
• Ongoing downtown promotion (events, branding, promotions, etc.)
• Strengthening downtown community communications (newsletter, website, site visits, etc.)
• Special programs (Downtown Gift Certificates, etc.)
• Advocacy (representing the collective voice of the membership)
• Networking within the OSDIA community, and through alliances with other business and community sectors (meetings, committees, events, etc.)

Boundaries

• South side of 11th Street East (to the north)
• North side of 7th Street East (to the south)
• West side of 4th Avenue East (to the east)
• Sydenham River (to the west)

Volunteering

Volunteers make all the difference at events; they support their community, network with new people, learn different skills, and help ensure events run smoothly.

Would you like to be a part of successful and fun events?  Are you a supporter of downtown Owen Sound?  Then consider volunteering at any or all of our downtown events throughout the year.

Contact us if you'd like to learn more about volunteer opportunities that align with your skills, interests and availability.

Contact Us

Location:

Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area (City Hall)

808 2^nd Avenue East

Owen Sound ON N4K 2H4

Open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 519-376-9225

Email: diainfo@owensound.ca

Facebook: Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area

Twitter: @OwenSoundDIA