Establishing a BIA - Deciding on boundaries

Please take the following into consideration:

• Geographical size
  • What are the pros and cons of a larger or smaller boundary?
• Concentration of businesses
  • Is there a minimum number of businesses required to ensure the BIA is financially viable?
• Placemaking opportunities
  • Is there diversity and similarity of streets and business areas that foster a sense of place?
  • A proposed BIA could be:
    • a quaint older district,
    • a traditional main street,
    • a restaurant and pub mecca,
    • a newer medical/lifestyles district,
    • a busy urban corridor,
    • a strip mall or even
    • an industrial area.
• Not all businesses are visible from street-level; please make sure you know about all potential businesses within the proposed BIA.
• Businesses located within BIA boundaries will become BIA members and will pay the BIA tax. Opting out is not an option.
• Letters of support from business owners wanting to establish a BIA are helpful.
• Collecting data about the area’s issues and opportunities helps determine if a BIA is appropriate and/or needed.