What is a BIA/BID
The Canadian Business Improvement Area Handbook contains the following definitions for BIDs and BIAs.
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a geographical area which the local businesses have voted to invest in collectively to improve their environment. BIDs provide additional or improved services as identified and requested by local businesses.
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a geographical area in a municipality (parish). A BIA board of management is an organization set up to provide certain business promotion and improvement functions within that area.
A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together and with the support of the municipality (Parish Council), to organize, finance and carry out physical improvement and promote economic development in their district. The local municipality is the body that is responsible for approving the budget of the BIA. Business Improvement Areas offer a self-help approach to revitalizing business districts.
BIAs are self funded through levy based on property assessment and managed by volunteer Board elected from all and by all commercial property owners and businesses, and appointed by Local Authority.
A workshop and assessment was held in Februay 2015 and arising from the ensuing discussion, Ward Avenue was identified as the area with the most potential for the successful implementation of a BIA.
The Manchester Parish Council, with the assistance of CARILED has now started the process to transform Ward Avenue and establish the first BIA in the parish. Since completing the workshop in February, there has been much discussion on the subject and we are now seeking to answer the question as to whether or not the parish, specifically Ward Avenue, is ready for the establishment of a BIA.
Business operators along the Ward Avenue corridor voted to implement the BIA. A Steering Committee, to be guided by Ms. Angella Edwards - Local and Economic Development Officer, Manchester, has since been formed to put plans in place for the implementation of the BIA.
The Steering Committee meets every first Monday at 6:00 p.m. at Neil's Auditorium, 22A Wad Avenue, Mandeville.