The search is beginning for a new Executive Director (ED) for the Belleville Downtown District BIA.
Current BIA head Marijo Cuerrier has announced she will leave the job in June, to take on the ED role with the Kingston BIA.
In a statement on Wednesday, Cuerrier called it a “difficult decision” and says following the completion of a four-year strategic plan in 2019, “there are so many exciting things coming for downtown Belleville.”
Cuerrier tells Quinte News while she’s proud of the many initiatives they were able to put on, even during the pandemic, she’s especially pleased with how she was able to build relationships between the BIA’s members, the city and the community overall.
“When I came to the BIA there were a lot of broken relationships on the street and things that made it difficult for people to work together, I guess. I think in the two-and-a-half years I’ve been here, it’s really become a community down here.”
She added that she’s looking forward to her new role in a larger city, but won’t lose those connections she’s made in Belleville and the Quinte Region.
“I go from 200 members to 700 members and quite a bit more square footage. Kingston is in good shape and they want to stay that way and grow, so it will be fun. I’m really looking forward to it, but I will miss Quinte, which will always be home for me.”
Cuerrier added that she’s “confident the next ED will be fully capable of continuing to drive the vision forward.”
Downtown District Board Chair Kathryn Brown called Cuerrier “the driver of our creative journey” and says her leadership has been crucial in helping downtown businesses get through the pandemic.
“That in and of itself, during the middle of a pandemic, was a huge challenge. I think it’s a positive reflection on her creativity and her willingness to not be defeated by something, even as big as a pandemic.”
Brown says a hiring committee has been formed and the job application has been posted, with the hope of having a replacement brought on before Cuerrier leaves in June, so that the new ED can settle in through a transition period.
