Downtown Timmins

What is a Business Improvement Association and Your Downtown Timmins? A Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) is an organization that helps business people join together to build a stronger and more competitive business area. While a B.I.A. organization has much in common with other kinds of business associations, several features make it unique. Unli... ke a Chamber of Commerce, a B.I.A.s primary role is to improve a specific geographic area. This area is established through a by-law passed by the municipal government at the request of the local business community. As outlined in the enabling legislation, Section 217 of the Municipal Act, improvements are achieved through advocacy, beautification and coordinated promotional events in the area. Every business within the geographic limits contributes to the organizations budget and is automatically considered a member business. The organization is financed by a special levy on businesses in that area, above and beyond normal municipal taxes. The levy is collected by the municipality but administered by the B.I.A. Board of Management as it implements its programs of activities throughout the year. Downtown Timmins associate members are businesses who voluntarily join the Downtown Timmins B.I.A. to ensure an economically strong and vital downtown business community. They are businesses who do not fall within the geographical B.I.A area., but still champion and support the causes and activities of the Downtown Timmins B.I.A.Read More