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Business Improvement Association
DCHP-2 (Dec 2013)
Spelling variants:BIA, Business Improvement Area Association
n. — predominantly Ontario & British Columbia, economy
a group of property owners that collaboratively enhances an area's commercial, social and aesthetic appeal.
Type: 5. Frequency — Coined a decade after the first Business Improvement Area was established in Canada, this term refers to the group of non-profit property and business owners that represent their corresponding business district (see the 2012 quotation). This group of elected members works together to enhance the commercial and aesthetic appeal of their area. Examples of their concerns include street maintenance, special events or community safety initiatives. Besides managing the mandatory BIA levies, they undertake private and public fundraising to contribute to the well-being of the community. The term is Canadian (see Chart 1), but is limited almost entirely to Ontario and British Columbia (Chart 2).
Quotations
1981
These men and women worked long and hard to ensure their own survival and, as a member of their Business Improvement Area Board of Management, I worked with them each step of the way on achieving their BIA status and on convincing the city to acquire the lands currently being occupied by the Grossman trailer for use as parking space.
1981
The Milton Downtown Business Improvement Association will present a carol sing on Main St. today from 7.30 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 7 to 8.30 p.m.
1992
Shoppers are being encouraged to rediscover downtown Elmira as Sidewalk Sale Days begin today. Sponsored by the Business Improvement Association, the 21st annual event is one of the largest promotions the business organization runs annually.
2000
Working with the crime prevention arm of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, police say they were able to identify and charge the 31-year-old suspect, who faces break and enter charges from Calgary police in similar offences.
2010
The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) is an umbrella association of almost 200 BIAs in Ontario.
2012
A BIA is a non-profit association of commercial property owners and business tenants who join together to promote and improve the economic vitality of their business district.
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 9 Oct. 2013
