For the first time in its 44-year history, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has expanded its boundaries to include businesses in Peterborough’s East City.
The Peterborough DBIA announced on Tuesday (May 6) that the East City Village Business Improvement Area (VBIA) has joined the DBIA under what is described in a media release as “a one-year pilot merger agreement” that took effect in April.
Under the agreement, the East City VBIA — which represents businesses on Hunter Street East, east of the Hunter Street bridge — has merged its operations with the Peterborough DBIA.
“We’re thrilled to welcome East City’s vibrant business community into the DBIA,” says Peterborough DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum in the release. “East City has always been a beloved and essential part of Peterborough with a strong sense of place.”
“We’re excited to bring together two really vibrant and connected communities to elevate our collective impact and work together to strengthen our local economy. This merger will create even more opportunities for businesses to thrive. I think this is a really exciting next step in Peterborough’s story.”
Established by the City of Peterborough in 1981 to support and revitalize the downtown core, the Peterborough DBIA’s boundaries have always encompassed the traditional commercial grid west of the Otonabee River.
The Peterborough DBIA’s boundaries — north to Murray Street, west to Bethune Street, south to Dalhousie Street, and east to the Hunter Street Bridge — did not include East City, historically known as the Village of Ashburnham, because of its distinct geography and character on the other side of the river.
East City businesses created their own volunteer-led business improvement area to advocate for area improvements, while maintaining a separate identity and operation.
The merger of the East City VBIA with the Peterborough DBIA means East City businesses will now have the opportunity to participate in programs and promotions run by the DBIA, such as the Boro gift card program and the annual Holiday Shopping Passport program, which previously only applied to businesses located in the downtown core.
“This merger represents an opportunity for East City to access new tools and larger resources, while still celebrating the charm and community that makes our side of the river so special,” says East City VBIA chair Cassia Piper.
“The Village BIA has been shaped by neighbours who care deeply about their community. Merging with the DBIA builds on that legacy. It opens new doors and offers more chances to be a part of the big-picture vision for downtown.”
According to the release, the merger of the two organizations also creates the potential for expanded collaboration in local events, beautification projects, and shared advocacy for small business priorities within the city.
The merger also aligns with the City of Peterborough’s official plan, which considers both the downtown core and East City to be part of the city’s central area.
During the one-year pilot project, both organizations will “evaluate how best to integrate programming and representation moving forward,” while the Peterborough DBIA will “work closely” with East City business owners to ensure local priorities are recognized, supported, and celebrated.
“This isn’t about dissolving identities, it’s about strengthening them,” Mazloum says. “We believe this partnership will amplify what makes East City unique while connecting these unique communities through shared opportunity.”
The Peterborough DBIA represents over 400 businesses in the downtown core, with the city collecting a levy totalling $362,045 in 2025 through commercial and industrial property taxes from within the DBIA boundaries to fund the organization.
