About Us

What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial property owners and tenants within a defined area who work in partnership with the City to create thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses. By working collectively as a BIA, local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of life in their local neighbourhood and the City as a whole.

What Can a BIA Do?

Local businesses, working collectively as a BIA, become catalysts for civic improvements, ultimately enhancing the business climate and quality of life of the neighbourhood. As a legal organization mandated by provincial legislation, BIAs are able to develop a budget for improvements and, through the city, collect a levy from businesses in the area to raise the necessary funds.

BIAs improve their local economies through activities such as:

• Street and sidewalk maintenance and capital improvements
• Promotion of the BIA as a business, employment, tourist or shopping area (business directories, festivals, advertising)
• Hosting neighbourhood festivals and events
• Safety, security and crime prevention initiatives
• Graffiti and poster removal services respecting building facades visible from the street
• Strategic plans for business recruitment, market studies and capital improvements
• Advocate on behalf of their membership as a unified voice

How Does it Work?

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.

How is a BIA Funded?

Once the BIA members approve the budget and City Council ratifies it, funds are raised through a levy on all commercial and industrial properties within the BIA’s boundary. Calculation of this levy is based on the proportionate value of each property’s commercial and/or industrial assessment. Once the City collects the levy, it returns the funds to the BIA to manage.

 

The North Bay Downtown Improvement Area was created by By-Law No. 144-77 in 1978. The Mission Statement, To preserve and develop the heart of North Bay, was adopted by the DIA in 1995 and remains their primary objective. The Downtown Improvement Area works to achieve this goal and concentrates on tourism, business retention and expansion, and promotions. Festivals and special events are held at various times throughout the year in an effort to increase traffic levels, enhance the profile of the Downtown and strengthen investor confidence in the Downtown core.

Board of Directors 2023-2026

CHAIR:

Ms. Katie Bevan, The Farm: Fashion, Art, Retail Market 

VICE-CHAIR:

Ms. Michelle Trudeau,​ Michelle's FrameMaker & Gallery 

MEMBERS

Ms. Rae Brenne, Stix and Stones

Mr. Brannyn Hale, Green Vision Developments Ltd.

Mr. Ryan Ivy, Lou Dawgs

Mr. Ray Ladouceur, Eyes on Main

Ms. Dayna Greco, London Underground (Board Alternate)

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Ms. Sara Inch, City Council Representative 
Mr. Jamie Lowery, City Council Representative 

Ms. Sara Gage, Treasurer 
Ms. Bev Hillier,  City Liaison 

Committees 

BEAUTIFICATION

Michelle Trudeau (Chair - Beautification) 

SAFETY

Brannyn Hale and Ray Ladouceur (Co-Chairs)

PROMOTIONS & MARKETING

Rae Brenne (Chair)

Ryan Ivy

The Committees are comprised of members from the Downtown North Bay (DIA) Board of Directors as well as members of our Downtown businesses.

Any Downtown business owner and/or employee can be apart of any committee. If you are a volunteer from the public and want to take part in any of the Downtown's committees, please contact the office on how to become involved!

 

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