This is the time of year to express appreciation to all who have made the Downtown Brockton Association successful and productive. I start with my OCPC staff, Megan Fournier, and Elise Prince for without them the meetings and communication would not be where it is today. Maintaining the website and newsletters is a full-time job and they do it in their “spare” time. Next is Amanda Glennon from NeighborWorks. Amanda has stepped up the social media and creativeness of the DBA and is the head coordinator of the Holiday Parade. Her visions and organization is what has made the parade so successful these past few years, with 6000+ people attending this past month! All three ladies do this at no cost to the DBA.  Thank you to Hugo Dematos, AVP, Branch Officer of the Legion Parkway branch of HarborOne Bank and Treasurer to the DBA. Hugo, with a smile and patience, keeps us on a fiscally sound, and on track, and is always available, again at no cost to the DBA. 

I am grateful for those who are paid members (It is only $50 or $100 per year), the funds maintain the website, constant contact/newsletter costs, along with phone charges. OCPC does not charge for rent or for any other costs. I appreciate my OCPC Board allowing for this to occur. I am thankful to our sponsors of the Holiday Parade; the donations are an incredible support to the $10,000 the City of Brockton provides. The cost of the parade is double that and will increase next year with the Police Department charging for details in 2024. 

This year has been a particular struggle with the increased numbers of folks with mental health, substance use, and unhoused issues. Since the beginning of the year, there has been improved communication between property owners and the DBA. One of the successes in 2023 was the completion of a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis for the Downtown with over 200 responses! Additionally, the State of Downtown was held with over 100 members of the public coming out to listen and voice their concerns of the area and start the conversation to make for a better tomorrow, you can watch the recording of the meeting in the link below. One of the solutions is the formulation of a Business Improvement District (BID). If you have not signed the petition for the BID, please consider doing so. Contact brocktondba@gmail.com.

Wishes for a healthy and prosperous holiday season. 

Mary Waldron, President 

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