Often Cllrs. offices recevie emails about BIAs, and what they do. To summarize:
Each BIA works with its business members to set priorities that are reflected in an annual budget submitted to and approved by Council. The approved budget determines the amount of an annual BIA tax that is collected from all businesses within a BIA’s boundary by The City of Calgary and then transferred back in full to the BIA to fund operations. During the year, BIAs may also apply for, and be awarded, additional grant funds to support programs and activities.
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is established by business owners in a defined area to jointly raise and administer funds for various projects and promotional activities within the area throughout the year. Only businesses operating within a BIA boundary receive a BIA tax bill. BIA tax bills and property tax bills are unrelated. The BIA tax levy is collected by The City of Calgary on behalf of the BIA. The City does not benefit from the collection of BIA tax. All funds are transferred to the BIA, who work with business members within the respective BIA, to set priorities and budget.
BIAs are regulated by sections of the Municipal Government Act and the Business Improvement Area Regulation (previously the Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) Regulation). Two BIAs still use “BRZ” in their legal names.
There is only one BIA in Ward 4 and that is the Greenview Industrial which my office has worked on many files with over the years.
