Businss Improvement Association

About Us

What is the purpose of a BIA?

The main purposes of a BIA are to revitalize and maintain a dynamic local neighbourhood and to promote the area as a business or shopping destination. While a major goal of revitalization and retention is to encourage both local residents and others to spend their shopping dollars within the local commercial district, all businesses and residents in the area may benefit as well.

Revitalization and maintenance create a cleaner, safer and more congenial atmosphere that benefits all local businesses. It also benefits professional service firms, whose clientele can enjoy the local atmosphere as part of their trip to the doctor, dentist, lawyer or accountant.

In some cases, leaders of the BIA (the board of management) become a line of communication between the community and the local municipal council. The BIA forum can be used as a vehicle for conveying community concerns to council and, for prompting council to pursue policies and activities that will promote and strengthen the community and its unique identity.

Who benefits from having a BIA?

Business operators:

A BIA can benefit more than just local retail businesses. All businesses in the area, whether professional, dining, entertainment, finance, or retail, may benefit from the improved local atmosphere and ambience that a successful BIA helps to create.

Property owners:

BIA-initiated improvements and activities may lead to an increase in property values. Improvements help to create and sustain a more vibrant and viable economic environment within the local area. This attracts both commercial and service sector businesses to the area that, in turn, may lead to an increased demand for retail and office space, and a subsequent increase in property values.

Non-retailers also benefit:

BIA improvements and activities help to create a more vibrant local community and a more prosperous local economic environment. A more vibrant community attracts more visitors and retains more local customers for all types of services – including dining, entertainment and professional services. In addition, a more vibrant community creates a more inviting atmosphere that clients and customers will enjoy visiting.

Other benefits:

increasing community interest and pride in the business area
ensuring on going co-operation among the members of the business community
improving lines of communications between the business community and municipal council and staff
advocating membership interests and concerns through effective communication with both the municipality and other levels of government
increasing cost savings to the membership through improved integration of capital funding and promotional activities

A BIA is a secure source of funding:

A secure source of funding is a significant benefit to having a BIA. Once the board of the BIA has prepared a budget, discussed it with its membership and has it approved by the municipality, the municipality collects money as a special levy on all industrial and commercial properties in the area. Funds are then transferred to the BIA organization to carry out its work.