A BIA, or Business Improvement Area is the concept that a community can request from their municipal council to be designated as an area or community for improvement. Once granted a BIA status, the BIA can begin to undertake programs to benefit the local businesses, and beautify the area with things like tree planting, garbage clean-ups, flowers, banners, and street signage.

A community or group of local businesses may choose to be part of a BIA for a number of reasons, but ultimately the idea that there is strength together in marketing, attracting business, and providing opportunities for shared promotions, and events.

Ultimately BIA’s help promote the districts and their members, they bring customers, stimulate the economy, provide advocacy at the municipal level, and support the community. For many BIAs the social wellbeing of their communities is very important. Many offer programs that deal specifically with homelessness, graffiti, crime prevention, safety, transportation, accessibility, density, green spaces, and business attraction.