A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a municipally approved not-for-profit business group that serves local businesses. BIAs work to enhance the social, cultural, and economic prosperity of the neighbourhood they call home, doing everything from advocacy to beautification to promotion.
Toronto BIAs are also members of an umbrella organization called the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA). TABIA encourages and facilitates the exchange of information, experiences, and ideas among BIAs; advocates on behalf of BIAs to influence government policy; helps obtain funding for programs and services for BIAs; and offers discount and savings programs for its members, such as the commercial Façade improvement program.
A BIA is run by a volunteer Board of Management, elected from its members. The Board is nominated at an Annual General Meeting and, once approved by City Council, serves a four-year term concurrent with the term of Council. The Board works on behalf of its BIA and meets regularly to develop budgets, set priorities, implement capital improvements, plan festivals and promote its business area.
The MBTL BIA meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm. A week before each meeting, members will receive details for the upcoming meeting and an agenda along with minutes from the previous meeting. Questions or concerns can be submitted prior to the meeting and added to the agenda or brought up under new business.
If you own a business within the Mimico by the Lake BIA’s boundaries, you are already a member.
Member businesses can benefit from the BIA’s initiatives and activities in many different ways. As the BIA works to make the business area beautiful, organize events and make strong community partnerships, it will result in more visitors, increased awareness, and increased customer retention.
Learn more about membership by contacting our Coordinator at info@mimicobythelake.com.