Simply put, a Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial/industrial property owners and tenants within a specified district who join together with official approval of the City in a self-help program aimed at stimulating business.
City Support to BIAs
The City of Toronto Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office works in partnership with BIAs to enhance their business areas.
The BIA office currently works with over 70 BIAs representing more than 27,000 small businesses. In 2009 the properties they included were valued at more than $19 billion, generating an annual tax revenue of approximately $730 million.
By creating a strong and distinct image for a neighbourhood shopping area and marketing it effectively, BIAs can better compete in an age of shopping malls and big-box retailing. More recently, BIAs have been established in industrial/employment areas.
BIAs can be catalysts for civic improvement and significant contributors to the city's economy and the quality of life of city neighbourhoods.
Through the efforts of several City departments, a wide range of services and support is provided to BIAs. The BIA Office also works with stakeholder groups seeking BIA status.
The Toronto BIA staff is your first point of contact, offering assistance in:
starting and expanding a BIA
budget development
improving neighbourhood safety
capital project planning and delivery
strategic planning
special event planning
providing annual general meetings assistance
The BIA Office also delivers the following programs:
Beginning in 2010, a new funding program will be launched in keeping with the City's Agenda for Prosperity. We will keep you posted on exciting opportunities associated with this initiative.
BIAs also receive support through the City's Technical Services and Transportation Services divisions and Urban Forestry Services, which provide capital project support.
The Financial Planning and Revenue Services divisions prepare BIA budget reports and provide services related to BIA billing and levy remittances.
The Clerk's Office plays an important role by issuing the intention to designate a BIA notice, and the Mapping Section of the Technical Services Division provides mapping for BIA boundaries and various related initiatives.
The Legal Division staff provides ongoing opinions and interpretation of BIA legislation and drafts by-laws.
What is TABIA?
The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) is an organization recognized by all levels of government and its members, whose main goal is collecting and exchanging information vital to the BIAs and addressing their concerns and issues.
The objectives of TABIA are to:
promote strong, effective and successful BIAs in Toronto
promote and protect the interests and conserve the rights of all Toronto BIAs and incidental businesses
encourage joint initiatives and collaboration by groups of BIAs on issues and mutually beneficial projects, including strategic plans, studies, position papers, market research and information gathering
ensure uniformity in usage, custom and trade conditions for all Toronto BIAs
encourage and facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and ideas among BIAs through such means as newsletters, internet, seminars, workshops and conferences for the benefit of BIAs in general and their individual members
assist BIAs in pooling resources, both financial and intellectual, to achieve the maximum benefit feasible and to protect the business interests of members
act as a lobby group to influence policies affecting BIAs and to obtain support, funds and services for BIAs from all levels of government, institutions, agencies and any other organizations
seek to promote the interest of BIAs in government and private sector tourism policies and in the implementation of the same
maintain and improve the standards of BIAs and enhance the qualifications of individual members, and
solicit government and corporate funds, fundraise and seek assistance to undertake initiatives and enter into partnerships in order to deliver set objectives.
