Nearly two months into her new job as the co-ordinator of the Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area (BIA), Sault Ste. Marie native Marilyn Hug is starting to settle in.

Thrust into organizing the BIA’s biggest event only three weeks before it took place, Hug said the Steamship Festival kept her busy booking vendors and entertainers and getting permits in place in advance of the two-day event.

Now that the festival has passed, the day-to-day operations of the BIA are back in the forefront, Hug said.

But she can’t get too comfy because she will be moving out of the Opera House basement to higher profile space the BIA is renting in the “Courtyard” building at 130 Muskoka Rd. N.

The lease at the Opera House is about to expire and because it closes for lunch, does not provide any access to the office through that time.

“The (new) space is wonderful,” said Hug, who plans to use the main street window exposure as a display area for BIA members and events.

She is also developing new programs including an information package for new businesses which will identify where people can find local services.

Hug moved to Gravenhurst about a year ago after spending nearly 30 years in Calgary, Alberta. She completed the three-year business opportunities and management program through the Devry Institute of Technology in Calgary and graduated as valedictorian.

In her professional life she has worked as an administrative assistant, special events co-ordinator, a court worker for Native Counselling Services of Alberta and ran her own day-care facility for four years.

“The BIA position had everything to do with my skills,” she said. “Organizing events is something I enjoy and I look forward to working with the community.”

Hug said she brings a great deal of flexibility and variety to the position.

Despite the controversy that has surrounded the BIA for several months, Hug said she is “taking the high road” and has chosen not to get involved with politics.

She hopes to engage more input from business owners and welcomes merchants to drop by the BIA’s new office.

President Robb White said Hug has already proven herself to the board and should be commended for the excellent job she did organizing the Steamship Festival.

“She’s already preparing for next year’s event,” he said.

White said several applied for the position, but with Hug’s previous work history, they felt she was best suited to the position.

“She was hands down the best all-round candidate we had,” said White. “She’s only been in Gravenhurst for a short period of time so she came with no prior history and was neutral to everyone, which made it positive for the BIA.”