Grateful for 2021
Author: Kathy Fowler
Kathy is a local graphic designer who has a passion for designing, writing and celebrating all things local. She loves working with local authors to help them get published in print, because stories enrich our lives and must be shared with the world. She has lived in the Quinte region most of her life and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Giving thanks and being grateful for 2021 may be a hard concept for many this holiday season as we head into a New Year filled with even more uncertainty. There has been much loss this year, but there are some positives that we can take away from this year. I welcome you to join us on a reflective journey.
Let’s start by finding out what it really means to feel gratitude. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary it means:
grate·ful
1a: expressing gratitude, grateful thanks and
1b: pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort alleviated
The Belleville Downtown District is a prime example of how we can be grateful for what 2021 has given us. This tumultuous year has been gracious to us and has presented Downtown Belleville with many opportunities.
Welcoming Streets Steward
Downtown Belleville welcomed our Welcoming Streets Steward, Sara Behring.
The Welcoming Streets Initiative is funded by Hastings County, modelled after Downtown Guelph and supports street-involved individuals and local businesses simultaneously.
In the first three months of the program alone the program had prevented more than 70 calls to Belleville Police Services for crisis intervention. Thank you, Sara, for your kindness towards our Downtown city streets.
Grants
Downtown Belleville was awarded over 200K in grants and in-kind services in 2021. Feeling grateful doesn’t even begin to express the joy in realizing the amount of opportunities that these funds brought to our community.
Grants received include support for Welcoming Streets Program and Welcoming Streets Steward from Hastings County, Al Fresco support from City of Belleville, event support from the Regional Tourism Ontario 9 (RTO9), contract extension of one part-time Digital Squad Member from Digital Main Street, tête-à-tête chair sets and giant Adirondack chair support from the Rural Economic Development (RED) fund, Al Fresco and Enchanted support from the Bay of Quinte Regional Tourism Board, Enchanted support from the Reconnect Grant and tête-à-tête chair set support from sponsorships.
Awards
Earlier this year, Downtown Belleville accepted two provincial awards from the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA). One in the category of Special Events & Promotions for the Enchanted Holiday Market and one in the category of Marketing & Communications for the Downtown Belleville Rebrand. This is quite an achievement because these awards represent votes from over 300 BIAs across Ontario.
Ontario Parks Partnership
Not only does the Belleville Downtown District welcome locals to visit its streets, shops and events it also welcomes visitors with open arms. A new partnership was fostered with Ontario Parks web presence this year to help visitors find Downtown Belleville while planning their visits to the Sandbanks and North Beach in Prince Edward County and Presqu’ile in Northumberland County.
Events
While 2021 has had an underlying sombreness to it – we all did appreciate some time to let go, be free (safely of course) and enjoy some festivities this year – and let me tell you – we all need it!
In 2021, Belleville’s first ever Diwali celebration took place in the Market Square, welcoming traditions from a variety of cultures. We welcome all to Belleville and were proud to be a part of this time honoured celebration.
Other signature events throughout the year such as Al Fresco, Porchfest After Party and Enchanted helped to lift our spirits and brought the community together during a tumultuous time.
Thank you for visiting and enjoying Downtown Belleville in 2021. We are grateful for your support and we thank you for brightening our days.
