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Business Improvement Area(BIA) Information

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on a Red Lake Business Improvement Area

Below is the table of contents From the MMAH BIA guide, if you are interested in viewing the whole document please use the link at the bottom of this page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOK........................................................................1.1

The purpose of this document is to provide an information resource on Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) for local property owners, business people and municipal officials. The document cannot provide all of the answers to questions that may arise around the establishment and management of a BIA. Regional Municipal Services Offices of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing can provide advice and answer additional questions. In addition, it can often be useful to contact individuals involved with an existing BIA. They can provide practical advice and assistance in dealing with the challenges that you may confront when establishing and managing a BIA.

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS.................................1.2

  • What is a BIA? .......................................................................................1.2 
  • What is the purpose of a BIA? .................................................................1.3
  • What does a BIA do? .............................................................................1.4
  • Who benefits from having a BIA?.............................................................1.5

ROLE OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ......................................................................2.1

  • General Support for Business Improvement Areas ......................................2.1 
  • Initiation and Participation.......................................................................2.1 
  • Specific Roles of Municipal Council ..........................................................2.2 
  • Creating a BIA .......................................................................................2.2
  • Registering Objections ............................................................................2.2
  • Establishing the Board of Management.....................................................2.3
  • Financial Monitoring...............................................................................2.3
  • Altering the Boundaries of a BIA...............................................................2.3

ESTABLISHING A BIA........................................................................................3.1

  • Key Steps in Establishing a BIA.................................................................3.1 
  • Step 1: Establish the Need ......................................................................3.2
  • Step 2: Communicate with all Interested Parties ........................................3.3
  • Step 3: Establish a Steering Committee ....................................................3.4 
  • Step 4: Establish Goals & Objectives........................................................3.4 
  • Step 5: Prepare Preliminary Budget Proposals ...........................................3.4
  • Step 6: Establish Proposed Boundaries .....................................................3.5
  • Step 7: Formalize a Request to the Municipality.........................................3.5
  • Step 8: Notify of a Proposed BIA Designation ...........................................3.5
  • Step 9: Pass a Municipal By law...............................................................3.6

MANAGING & OPERATING A BIA .........................................................................4

  • BIA Membership .....................................................................................4.1
  • Board of Management ............................................................................4.1
  • Role of the Board ...................................................................................4.1
  • Selecting an Executive.............................................................................4.2 
  • Establishing & Reviewing Committees.......................................................4.2
  • Hiring Staff ............................................................................................4.3 
  • Establishing BIA Policies & By-Laws ..........................................................4.4 
  • Membership ..........................................................................................4.5 
  • Reviewing & Assessing BIA Programs & Projects.........................................4.5
  • Board of Management............................................................................4.6 
  • Committees & Sub-committees ................................................................4.6 
  • General Meetings ..................................................................................4.6 
  • Board & Committee/Subcommittee Meetings ............................................4.7
  • Annual Budget .......................................................................................4.7 
  • General Expenditures .............................................................................4.7 
  • Rules of Order .......................................................................................4.7 
  • Contracts ..............................................................................................4.8
  • Voting & Proxy Voting .............................................................................4.8 
  • Elections................................................................................................4.8 
  • Adoption of Policies, By Laws & Constitutions............................................4.9
  • Consistency with Legislation.....................................................................4.9
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ..........................................................................................5
  • Introduction ...........................................................................................5.1
  • Financial Planning..................................................................................5.1
  • Budgeting..............................................................................................5.2 
  • Financial Monitoring ..............................................................................5.6
APPENDICES.................................................................................................................6
APPENDIX A: A SAMPLE CHECKLIST TO IDENTIFY BUSINESS AREA NEEDS ..........A.1
APPENDIX B: SAMPLE BIA BUDGET ...................................................................B.1
APPENDIX C: BIA CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................... C.1
APPENDIX D: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS............................................................ D.1
APPENDIX E: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION...................................................... E.1
APPENDIX F: LEGISLATION............................................................................... F.1



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BIA Information
The Municipality of Red Lake is making this document available for people who are interested in learning more about the effects and benefits of a BIA in thier community. For more information contact your chamber of commerce, or email the Red Lake Economic Development Officer.
View the MMAH BIA guide