The Board of the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (OCOBIA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Brad Fougere as the organization’s new Executive Director effective immediately.
A resident of Kanata North, Fougere brings a decade of experience in marketing, communications, and governance working with non-profit associations at the local, provincial, and federal levels. Working with OCOBIA’s Board, he will be a key advocate for Ottawa’s BIAs and their mandate to create vibrant business districts for businesses to grow and citizens to frequent.
“Over the past five years, OCOBIA has worked tirelessly to support Ottawa’s 18 BIAs and their efforts to enhance the neighbourhoods in which they are located,” said Kevin McHale, OCOBIA Chair. “We are excited that Brad has joined OCOBIA to continue this important work on behalf of our members.”
“Ottawa has a dedicated network of Business Improvement Areas that contribute meaningfully to the vitality of the city’s diverse communities. I am eager to build collaborative relationships with the board, the BIAs, their business networks” Fougere said. “I also look forward to connecting with our community and economic development partners locally, provincially, and federally to ensure Ottawa remains the best place to live, work, invest, and grow a small business.”
About OCOBIA
Ottawa is home to 18 BIAs found in downtown, suburban, and rural settings. Together, they represent more than 6,400 property owners and businesses who employ 128,000 people and generate a quarter of a billion dollars in municipal tax revenue each year. Ottawa BIAs invest an additional $7.4 million each year into their neighbourhoods. On-street beautification initiatives, marketing and promotional campaigns, street festivals, clean-street campaigns, and public safety initiatives are examples of their important work. They advocate for the interests of their business members and the greater community on a host of issues and serve as catalysts for positive change.