SHARED COMMITMENT

Shared Commitment: A New Path Forward for Sault Ste. Marie’s Downtown

READ THE FULL PROPOSAL HERE

What Is the Shared Commitment Model?

The Shared Commitment model is a collaborative proposal from the Sault Downtown Association (SDA) that calls for a renewed partnership with the City of Sault Ste. Marie. It maintains the Business Improvement Area (BIA) structure—while modernizing it—to ensure a strong, coordinated approach to revitalizing the downtown.

At its core, the proposal is simple:
The City and downtown businesses share responsibility and investment equally.
This means a combined funding model, shared accountability, unified goals, and a four-year Memorandum of Understanding aligned with each municipal election cycle.

Why This Matters

Downtown Sault Ste. Marie is the cultural and economic heart of our community. The SDA has demonstrated that a BIA-driven model delivers high-impact, cost-effective services that the City alone cannot replicate within its budget.

The Shared Commitment model ensures:

  • Stable and predictable funding

  • Continued access to grants and revenue streams unavailable to municipalities

  • Retention of the SDA’s branding, advocacy, and community-driven decision-making

  • Stronger collaboration with City departments

  • Continued delivery of essential programs that support businesses

Proven Impact of the SDA

The SDA consistently delivers more value than it costs.
In just 90 days (April-June 2025), the SDA provided $80,755 in measurable services, including beautification, marketing, event programming, and economic activity. Annualized, that equals $323,020 in value, far exceeding the City’s $218,000 annual allocation for the entire downtown footprint.

Key impacts from the SDA’s work include:

  • 2,850 lbs of litter collected

  • 165 graffiti tags removed

  • Dozens of events activating the downtown

  • 500,000+ quarterly marketing views

  • Increased foot traffic and regional visibility

  • Strong relationships with businesses, volunteers, and community partners

What the Shared Commitment Model Provides

1. Enhanced Beautification & Maintenance

A dedicated beautification squad delivering daily street cleaning, graffiti removal, weed control, and coordinated service dispatches with Public Works, ensuring downtown remains clean, safe, and welcoming.

2. Independent Downtown Marketing & Promotion

The SDA continues to promote businesses, events, and neighbourhood identity with agility and creativity, without the limitations of municipal department structures.

3. Business Support & Safety Programs

Including vandalism recovery grants, emergency funds, preferred vendor repair rates, and direct coordination with Sault Ste. Marie Police Services.

4. Events & Activations

Continuation and expansion of events like Moonlight Magic, Halloween on Queen, street parties, and future Gore Street programming.

5. Economic Development & Zero Vacancy Program

A business incubation model that subsidizes rent for new businesses, improves storefront occupancy, and strengthens business mix downtown.

6. Expansion to Gore Street and Downtown Proper

The Shared Commitment model includes the first steps toward expanding BIA services to Gore Street, an area needing investment, maintenance, and activation.

7. Stronger Governance & Accountability

Quarterly KPIs, annual reporting, financial transparency, and formal collaboration through a City–SDA liaison committee.

The Risk of Dissolution

The City’s decision to dissolve the SDA based on an incomplete internal report creates major risks:

  • Loss of over $320,000 in annual value

  • Elimination of grants and partnerships BIAs exclusively qualify for

  • Reduced services, slower response times, and lower standards of maintenance

  • Removal of three full-time and six part-time jobs

  • Significant uncertainty for businesses, investors, and the community

The Shared Commitment model offers a practical, cost-efficient alternative that avoids these risks and strengthens collaboration.

A Collaborative Path Forward

The SDA Board is committed to partnership, not conflict.
Our proposal reflects what works in over 270 BIAs across Ontario and thousands worldwide: a community-driven model supported by municipal collaboration.

A strengthened SDA, supported by the City through a combined funding partnership, is the most effective way to deliver:

  • A clean and safe downtown

  • A thriving business environment

  • Vibrant public spaces

  • Stronger economic activity

  • Community pride and resilience

Conclusion

The Shared Commitment model is a future-focused, financially responsible solution that keeps the best of what works while strengthening the partnership between downtown businesses and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Together, we can ensure a downtown that is vibrant, resilient, and positioned for long-term success.