The Wingham Business Improvement Area (BIA) held their 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, February 19 in the lounge at the Columbus Centre.
Chair, Dave Tiffin, welcomed members and guests. The 2025 AGM minutes were passed as written and Tiffin reviewed the achievements of the BIA over the past year. These included:
- BIA Bucks community cash program going online. Orders taken electronically and businesses reimbursed through e-transfer. Libro Credit Union is a great partner in this.
- Installation of 2nd LED sign, by the former train station began and will be completed in 2026
- Hydro and supports added to street lights north of train station to allow for snowflake lights and flags/banners.
- Financial support the July 1st fireworks and bringing the marching band in for the Lions Santa Claus parade
- Ongoing Curb Appeal projects along Josephine St. It was noted that 14 projects, of various sizes, were completed in 2025.
- Initiated paid advertising on the LED sign by Tim Hortons. Ads placed will also appear on the 2nd sign to be installed.
Doug Kuyvenhoven, Treasurer and lead on the Curb Appeal projects, showed several before and after pictures of the work completed along Josephine St to make it “the best looking business area in the county”.
Kuyvenhoven then reviewed the 2025 financial statements and presented the 2026 budget. Both were passed unanimously.
The goals of the BIA for 2026 were outlined by Chair Tiffin. These include:
- Continued Curb Appeal work throughout the year.
- Try to work with businesses for efficient, cost effective recycling after the provincially mandated changes as of Jan. 1/26.
- Install snow flake lights and flag/banners north of train tracks from Works Dept to Riverview restaurant.
- Develop a security camera program with businesses that links to OPP Camsafe.
- BIA to subsidize security camera installation for Josephine St coverage
- Develop a tourism website for Wingham and surrounding area and promote Town Hall Theatre. The BIA sees tourism promotion as lacking in North Huron.
- Complete the installation of second LED light by former train station.
Each year the BIA also recognizes certain achievements of the past year. These may include new businesses opened the previous year, civic improvement, volunteer(s) of the year and life achievements. This year the certificates went to:
Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Charlotte Kikkert & Alecia Dietner – The 2 Step
- Mark Foxton & Lisa Hearnden – Foxton Fuels Limited.
Volunteer of the Year:
- Tharon Riley
New Businesses:
- Agilec
- Melanie’s Oasis
- Echoes of Glow
- The Q Fish and Chips
- Tito’s Pizza & Wings
The goal of a BIA is to make the main business core as attractive as possible to the businesses and patrons alike. After this fall’s municipal elections the BIA Board needs to be re-elected. The composition is between 5-8 members plus a North Huron council representative. There can be a maximum of 2 Associate Members on the Board. An associate is a paid member business that is outside the main business core. For any questions related to the Wingham BIA you can email chair@winghambia.ca
The pictures below, courtesy of Cory Bilyea Wingham, Advance Times show presentation of the financials, lifetime achievement recipients Mark Foxton & Lisa Hearnden, new business owner Doug Borowski and volunteer Tharon Riley.
