By Vivian Collings
Brandon Nimigon joined the Haliburton Business Improvement Area (BIA) board in 2016 with the desire to see downtown grow and flourish.
After eight years of participating in decisions, helping hang flowers, put up fall decorations, and plan events, he knew it was time to step into a bigger role.
He was nominated by 2023 president David Zilstra to become the BIA president for 2024 at their AGM on Feb. 15.
“It seems like a good fit for me right now to take on a leadership role. I think we do a lot of great things for the town with beautification, events, and bringing people downtown, and I’m always happy to help out,” Nimigon said.
As owner and broker of record at Century 21 Granite Group realty, he’s excited to lend expertise in running an organization in the place he’ll always call home.
“When my partner and myself moved back, we knew this would be our home. This was where I wanted to raise my family, have my business, and if there’s any way I can help the downtown grow while I’m here, that’s what I wanted to do. And this seemed like the right group to do that with,” Nimigon said.
The BIA also welcomed four new members to their executive: Gillian King, Gillian Taylor, Jappan Pandya, and Heather Kennedy.
Remaining members are Nimigon, Nicole Baumgartner-Spooner, David Zilstra, and Clay Glecoff with councillor Pat Casey as Dysart council’s representative and Brianna Elder as administrator.
“It’s nice to have some fresh minds and a good mixture of the downtown community. We have lots of different mindsets which will be great to represent the BIA as a whole,” Nimigon said. “We have a great group of executives. We all get along well and do a lot of great things.”
The BIA has some exciting things in the works for the upcoming year.
“Our rebranding is the biggest thing, making our communication with everyone in Haliburton County a little easier. Hopefully within the next two months we should be close to wrapping it up,” he said.
The BIA looks forward to their signature events like Ladies’ Shopping Night, Midnight Madness, and Buy in and Win.
“Another big thing is beautification, of course, and just making it bigger and better and getting more of our members involved,” Nimigon said. “We have this vibrant downtown cottage area. It’s a great thing to be part of and a great thing to see. The fact that I get to help bring it to life is amazing.”
