Business Improvement Zones
Consumers and businesses typically notice positive changes when businesses gain control of their business area and oversee functions like streetscaping and marketing.
Overview of Business Improvement Zones (BIZ)
- The City of Winnipeg Act was amended in July 1987 to allow the establishment of business improvement zones within the City of Winnipeg.
- This concept is similar to the business model that makes shopping malls successful.
- BIZ increases each business’ portion of the market share.
- The BIZ concept originated in Toronto more than 20 years ago. Since that time, BIZ has proven to be successful in many major centres across Canada.
- BIZ gives businesses the opportunity to organize themselves in an effort to make improvements and market their businesses while halting decline and rejuvenating their business area.
What is a BIZ?
A BIZ is an association of business people who join together to promote a common business location and to implement positive changes.
What does a BIZ do?
When a BIZ is created, it area businesses gain direct control over the appearance and image of their area.
How is a BIZ funded?
Funding for a BIZ is established through a special addition to the business tax of each business involved. Spending guidelines for these funds is established by the BIZ’ respective Board of Management and is approved by City Council.
How is a BIZ formed?
- A business community must initiate the establishment of a BIZ and commit to ongoing development and operation of the BIZ.
- More than 50% of the businesses within the proposed zone, representing more than 50% of the total taxable business assessment base, must sign and submit a petition to the City. The petition requests a by-law to be passed to establish the new zone.
- If the criteria are successfully met, the City of Winnipeg sends notices to all of the businesses within the proposed zone, notifying them of the intention to create a BIZ.
- Any business that opposes the creation of the BIZ has 30 days to fill out a notice of objection and return it to the City of Winnipeg.
- If one-third of the businesses, representing one-third of the business assessment, file a notice of objection, then the proposal is defeated, and the BIZ cannot be established.
- If sufficient objection is not received, then the City passes a by-law designating the area as a BIZ.
- Once the BIZ is formally established, a Board of Management is elected from within the membership. One member of the City Council is required to sit as a Board member.
How does the City help?
The City of Winnipeg recognizes the importance of input from the business community on establishing business improvement zones. In order to foster encouragement to business groups, the City, through the Planning, Property and Development department provides a range of staff resources to business groups that may be interested in BIZ.
What are the advantages of a BIZ?
BIZ can serve as a tool for organizing businesses toward cooperative efforts and is often key to developing a more attractive physical environment and a more successful business area.
Last updated: July 25, 2008
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