A Business Improvment Area is a geographical area within a municipality that is recognized as needing a more attractive physical environment so as to create more sucessful business in the community. A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together and, with the support of the municipality, organize, finance and carry out physical improvement and promote economic development in their district. A BIA board of management is composed of property owners and business operators, along with at least one member of council, and is set up to provide certain business promotion and improvement functions.

The Business Improvement Area has two-fold mandate:

• To improve, beautify and maintain public lands and buildings within the BIA, beyond that which is provided by the municipality at large and
• To promote the area as a business and shopping area.

Establishing a BIA creates benefits such as improved atmosphere and ambience. The beneficiaries are not just local retail merchants, theatres, banks and professional offices, but include a variety of other benefits. Increased values for property owners, secure source of funding for upgrades, increased community interest, improved communication between business and municipal council, and cost savings through improved allocation of finding & promotional activities.

Contact Information:
Eileen Maloney
Co-ordinator of BIAs
Downtown and Community Renewal Division
Planning and Economic Development Department
City of Hamilton
Phone: 905-546-2424 x2632
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