The Downtown Kentville Business Community (KBC) is a Business Improvement District that exists to support, promote, and enhance the businesses in Downtown Kentville. We act as a connector, advocate, and cheerleader for local businesses. Our mission is simple: to support, promote and enhance Downtown Kentville and bring value to our business community.

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Downtown Kentville is where people work, live, gather, and build their futures. The role of KBC is to support a vibrant, safe, and economically strong business district while helping build a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

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Recently, business owners have shared increasing concerns about safety, disruptive behaviour, and the day-to-day impact these issues are having on the downtown environment. At the same time, we recognize the challenges facing vulnerable residents, including homelessness, addiction, and untreated mental health needs. These issues are real, complex, and deeply felt across our community.

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This statement outlines what KBC has been doing, what we are hearing, our mandate, our position, and where we go from here.

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What We Have Been Doing

We have taken focused, collaborative steps to understand the situation and bring business concerns forward:

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Engagement with Open Arms

• Sent three letters outlining concerns and requesting information

• Met twice with their Executive Director and once with their Director of Operations

• Preparing to request a meeting with their Board

 

Collaboration with Municipal & Provincial Leaders

• Multiple meetings between our Board President and Mayor Andrew Zebian

• Participation on the panel at the Town’s Community Meeting

• One-on-one meeting between our Board President and Minister John Lohr

• Attendance at MLA Lohr’s regional homelessness coordination meeting

  • Julie Ogilvie (Executive Director) joining the Kentville/Valley Region Steering Committee on Homelessness

• Ongoing conversations with Town staff and Council members

 

Engagement with Kentville Police Service

• Sgt. Trevor MacNeil attended a Board meeting to discuss policing and hear business concerns

• We continue documenting and forwarding business reports appropriately

 

Supporting Our Members

• Regular updates

• Responding to emails, calls, and individual concerns

• Ensuring business experiences are communicated to the right decision-makers

 

What We Are Hearing From Businesses

Businesses have expressed:

• Concerns about loitering, verbal harassment, disruptive behaviour, and staff safety

• Increased worry after dark

• The need for more mental health and addiction supports in the Valley

• Recognition that many disruptive individuals are not clients of Open Arms

• Concern about the suitability of a high-density shelter in a commercial zone

• A desire to support vulnerable individuals while maintaining a safe environment for employees and customers

Our business community is compassionate and community-minded, even as many are feeling fear, frustration, and fatigue.

 

Our Mandate as a Business Improvement District

KBC’s role is to:

• Advocate

• Communicate

• Convene

• Support economic vibrancy

• Strengthen the downtown experience

KBC does not direct police operations, set provincial policy, or decide shelter placement.
We do bring forward business concerns, support collaboration, and advocate for balanced, compassionate solutions.

 

Our Position

 

A. The current shelter location in the C1 commercial core presents real challenges.

We do not believe it is appropriate for a high-density shelter to be located in the centre of town. Open Arms has shared that relocation would require significant resources; we would like to  work with them to identify what supports would be needed and assist them in attaining them.

 

B. Removing Open Arms from Kentville is not a solution. Problem solving through informed discussion is the only solution. 

Homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges exist in every town with a hospital, courthouse, and essential services. Kentville will remain a hub whether Open Arms is here or not. These issues will not disappear if a service provider is forced to leave — and, importantly, some of the individuals causing the most disruption are not Open Arms clients. We are committed to working with Open Arms through constructive communication to find solutions that support both of our mandates.

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C. The Valley lacks adequate mental health and addiction supports.

Many people with complex needs are not receiving specialized care. We need to advocate to the Province for the services that can address root causes effectively.

 

D. Businesses deserve safety; vulnerable individuals deserve dignity.

Both can and must be true simultaneously.

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E. Sustainable solutions must be collaborative.

Meaningful progress requires partnership between the Town, Province, Kentville Police, service providers, and the business community.

 

Where We Go From Here — KBC’s Next Steps

Immediate Next Steps

• Request a meeting with the Board of Directors for Open Arms

• Participate in the Steering Committee on Homelessness (first meeting Dec. 15)

• Attend the Town of Kentville’s Public Participation Meeting on Program-Based Housing Amendments (Nov. 25)

• Continue documenting business experiences and forwarding them appropriately

 

Upcoming Work

• Planning a second community conversation, with Minister Lohr present

• Exploring a collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce to offer a Crime & Security Information Session, and potential training opportunities such as:

  • Bystander awareness

  • De-escalation

  • Community engagement

  • Trauma-informed interaction

• Working with the Valley REN to gather data and understand regional trends

• Connecting with other communities facing similar challenges to learn from their approaches
   

A Final Word

A recurring theme in our conversations with businesses is the impact of incomplete or inaccurate information. When updates circulate without context, it heightens anxiety, fuels division, and makes it harder to work toward meaningful solutions. We encourage everyone to ask questions, seek clarity, and look to verified sources.

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KBC will continue to verify information before sharing it and will communicate updates openly and transparently.

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This is not a simple issue, and it will not be solved quickly. But KBC is committed to doing this work thoroughly, responsibly, and compassionately. We will continue advocating for solutions that support our businesses while fostering safety, dignity, and belonging for everyone who spends time in Downtown Kentville.

 

We will keep you informed as our work continues.

 

Thank you for your collaboration.

 

Julie Ogilvie
Executive Director
Downtown Kentville Business Community