Toolkit and Resources for Business Improvement Areas

The BIA toolkit is designed to support Edmonton’s Business Improvement Areas (BIA). This resource provides direction for BIA executive directors and board members, and supports business members, interested citizens and volunteers to understand what BIAs do and how they work.

Overview

BIA Toolkit Part 1

How BIAs and the City Work Together

The City and BIAs share a commitment to a vibrant local economy that adds to the attractiveness of Edmonton as a place to live, work, and visit. Various areas within the City Administration support BIAs in advancing the economic development of the area and help BIAs with meeting their operating requirements.

Highlights

How BIAs create vibrant commercial areas
How BIAs operate
Key players in a BIA
How a BIA is created

Woman points to map of Edmonton's downtown

Key People Roles and Responsibilities

BIA Toolkit Part 2

BIA Members

All businesses operating within a BIA, including professional corporations, pay a BIA tax. This tax is also referred to as a tax levy. Business and professional corporation owners who pay the BIA tax are members of the BIA association. BIA members may influence the operation of their BIA by serving on the board of directors, working on committees to advance specific goals, and attending the Annual General Meetings (AGM).

Highlights

Overview of key roles within a BIA
BIA Committees
BIA Board of Directors

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Operating a BIA

BIA Toolkit Part 3

Each BIA must establish its own governing document, operating guidelines, and procedures within the mandate and regulations established in the Municipal Government Act, Business Improvement Area Regulations, within the City of Edmonton Policy C462B - BIA Establishment and Operation, and within the establishment bylaws specific to individual BIAs.

Highlights

BIA finances
Annual administrative requirements
BIA liability and insurance
Records management

Working With the City

BIA Toolkit Part 4

The City and BIAs are partners in local economic development and placemaking; they can work together in many ways. This document identifies City staff and programs that support BIAs and member businesses. Key City staff work closely with BIAs to support vibrant commercial areas, with a focus on good governance and infrastructure coordination.