What are the benefits of a BIA?

• Creating a cleaner, safer and more attractive business district
• Ensuring a stable and predictable resource base to fund supplemental services and programs
• Helping to maintain and increase property values
• Giving a business district a distinct identity and making it more competitive with surrounding retail and business centres

What are common BIA tools?

The services and activities of BIAs are tailored to meet the specific needs identified by the local business community that funds them. Typically, the ‘toolbox’ that we use to build the competitiveness and vitality of our district can include:

• Providing maintenance services over and above those provided by the City including frequent sidewalk sweeping, trash and debris removal, periodic power washing of sidewalks and removal of graffiti from buildings and public amenities.
• Providing extra security to augment services from local police departments. Types of security services range from conventional security patrols to ‘ambassadors' who have customer service training and help consumers find the services they are looking for.
• Marketing programs aimed to improve the overall image of our business district through collaborative promotional strategies, market research and public relations.
• Reinforcing the business district's drawing power as a destination through special events, often targeting consumer markets that typically underutilize it.
• Supporting projects that attract jobs and investment to business districts, carrying out market analysis, developing databases and utilising City grants (e.g. Façade Improvement Grant, Commercial Research Grant).
• Implementing capital improvement strategies such as street lights, benches, kiosks, additional litter receptacles and public art.