Peterborough, Ontario

PETERBOROUGH, ONTAR IO As the community pulled together, the Downtown Business Improvement Association (DBIA) worked with local restaurants, helping to create access to patio spaces when indoor dining was not allowed, which was crucial in helping those businesses survive. “Our local arts and culture community has been working hard on figuring out how to reinvigorate that sector when they are able to reopen,” says Therrien. “Local theaters and galleries have been shuttered for over a year and they’ve been trying to figure out how to do music shows and art shows in a safe way while complying with provincial guidelines. Peterborough, pre- COVID, had a very dynamic music scene. That’s something we’re all looking forward to once we’re able to get back out and dance.” On the infrastructure side, things have continued to move forward in the city, with only minor delays due to COVID. Many multi-year projects were already in the budget, and there has been