By Melanie Minty
The Newton Business Improvement Association, a member of the Arts Council of Surrey, is a group of about 550 businesses and property owners who are passionate about improving the Newton Town Centre – which just happens to be home to the Newton Cultural Centre and the Arts Council of Surrey.
In their second five year mandate, the BIA operates four pillars: Safety, Area Enhancement, Marketing/Events and Government Relations. Business owner and BIA Executive Director, Phillip Aguirre states in the 2018 Annual Report: “The Newton BIA must take on a leadership role and drag everyone to the table together to solve the many issues that we are facing in our community.”
Here is what the Newton BIA has accomplished in its first 5 years: The BIA has established Newton Talks, a monthly networking forum. Area Enhancement team has removed 1011 bits of graffiti and 31,077 lbs of garbage, and planted over 1000 flower bulbs planted, plus mural paintings. BIA Events are well attended: Newton Days held in July (6000 attendees and 4000 hot dogs), and the Spooktacular Newton at Halloween time with free BBQ and over 6000 give away pumpkins. The largest budget is Safety, and the Community Safety Patrol operates a daily eight-hour patrol.
There is so much more to the operations of the Newton BIA. Pleased to have them as a member of ACS.