Formation of a New Chippawa Business Improvement Area

Thank you for your engagement. The Business Development Department is currently compiling survey results and comments. We will be reaching out in the near future to those respondents indicating an interest in forming a steering committee. Consultation is now closed, however, feel free to reach out to the project team (details below) at anytime!

• Contact the Project Team:
  • Please contact the City's Economic Development Officer, Michael Warchala by phone 905-356-7521 ext. 5004 or email at mwarchala@niagarafalls.ca.

Background Information

A by-law was passed in 1989 that first established the Chippawa BIA -- officially ceasing to exist in 2008. The objectives included the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipality owned lands, buildings and structures in the area; as well as beautification, maintenance, and the promotion of businesses and the commercial area. With 15 years passing since the dissolution of the Chippawa BIA, Council has passed a motion to engage the Chippawa business community regarding any interest in establishing a Chippawa BIA.

What is a Business Improvement Area (BIA)?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a “made-in-Ontario” innovation that allows local business people and commercial property owners and tenants to join together, and to organize, finance, and carry out physical improvements and promote economic development in their district. A BIA is established to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipality owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided by the municipality and to promote the area as a business or shopping area. These BIA initiatives are financed through a special levy, which is applied to all property owners in the area who can choose to pass the cost on to the business tenants.

Traditionally, a BIA is a body established by a municipality using the specific business improvement area provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001. It is governed by a board of management composed of business and property owners within the established BIA boundary. Business and property owners can request that a BIA be designated by a municipal bylaw. Before passing a bylaw to establish a BIA, a mail out of notices would be made to business property owners. Property owners can register an objection to the establishment of a BIA through written objections with objectors responsible for at least one-third of the general local municipality levy (industrial / commercial properties) in the proposed BIA area. BIAs are local entities and legislation states they are local boards.

BIA Membership and Funding

Once a traditional BIA is approved by municipal council, businesses within its boundaries become members and pay the BIA levy along with their property taxes. A traditional BIA view is that this structure reflects the principle that all who benefit should be required to bear their fair share of the cost of the program. In addition, the arrangement provides a secure source of funding for BIA activities. In addition, many BIAs undertake modest or extensive public and private fundraising to raise funds for special events or activities. The City of Niagara Falls currently has 6 BIAs.

CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED | Opportunities to Provide Feedback

If you own a commercial property and/or business in Chippawa, we want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts about forming a new Chippawa Business Improvement Area through our short, online survey below, or contact the project team directly!

• Take the Short Online Survey:
  • The online survey can be accessed here or through the "Take Survey" button listed below. The survey will be open until September 14, 2022.
• Contact the Project Team:
  • Call or email the City's Economic Development Officer, Michael Warchala by phone 905-356-7521 ext. 5004 or email at mwarchala@niagarafalls.ca

Please note that information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, please note all comments will become part of the public record.