About the Downtown Chatham BIA

About the Downtown Chatham BIA

A business improvement area (BIA) is a geographic area in a municipality. A BIA board of management is an organization set up to provide certain business promotion and improvement functions.

A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together and, with the support of the municipality, organize, finance and carry out the physical improvement and promote economic development in their district. The local municipality is the body responsible for establishing and approving the budget of the BIA.

History

In 1970 the province passed enabling legislation in response to a request by the business community in the Bloor and Jane Street area, City of toronto, for special authority to establish the Bloor West Village BIA. Provision for creating and operating a BIA are contained in section 220 of the Municipal Act. “Business changes everyday. Adapting to the marketplace is important!”

In addition to Bloor west Village, there are now more than 230 BIAs in place across the provice. They vary in size from less than 60 businesses and property owners to more than 2,000. The BIA concept has also spread beyond the boundaries of Ontario. The concept has been adopted by more than 1,500 communities across the United States and in most provinces in Canada.

Meetings

The BIA Board Meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm at the BIA Office: 237 King St. West. Chatham, Ontario. Just check the Events Calendar for confirmation and agenda upload.

All are welcome to attend. Just call the office for participation at 519-352-8387 or contact us via the contact form.