In July of 1987, the Province of Manitoba amended the City of Winnipeg Act to allow for the establishment of Business Improvement Zones (BIZ) within the City of Winnipeg. It afforded businesses the opportunity to organize themselves in order to undertake improvements and co-operatively market their businesses in an attempt to halt decline and rejuvenate their area.

Since that time the concept has met with tremendous success where as currently Business Improvement Zones have been developed in many major centres across Canada. Sixteen BIZ's exist today in Winnipeg.  Businesses within the zones realize the advantages of mutual cooperation in promoting and improving their areas.

What is a BIZ?

A Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) is essentially an association of business people who join together to promote their mutual interests. The basis of their mutual interest stems from their common location within a defined commercial area, and the need to create positive change within this area.

The St. James Village BIZ area consists of approximately 85 local merchants located along Portage Avenue located between St. James Street and Ferry Road. For a listing of local merchants of the St. James Village BIZ,  please visit our complete member directory.

What does a BIZ do?

Through the formal designation of a Business Improvement Zone, area businesses can take direct control over the appearance and image of their area. The special zone levy of the BIZ provides the financial vehicle to exert this control, however it is the collective attitude of the business people that creates the majority of the impact.

How is a BIZ funded?

Each BIZ is directed by a Board of Management elected by the membership. This Board prepares an annual program, budget and zone levy for the BIZ which requires the approval of the BIZ membership and is then forwarded to City council for their approval. When this program, budget and zone levy has received the necessary approvals, a special levy is added to the business tax of each business within the BIZ. The City will then collect these levies as part of the regular business tax procedures and will return the levy funding to the BIZ, to be spent in accordance with the approved program.

How is a BIZ formed?

The initiative to establish a Business Improvement Zone as well as the development and operation of the BIZ must come from within the business community. In order for a BIZ to be successful, it requires the commitment of the business community to undertake the organization planning to establish the zone as well as to direct the programming of the BIZ on an ongoing basis.

In order to begin this process, legislation within the City of Winnipeg act requires that 10% of the business within the proposed zone which also represent 10% of the business assessment base must sign a petition which is submitted to the City asking that a by-law be passed to establish the zone. If this criteria is successfully met the City of Winnipeg will then send notices to all of the businesses within the proposed zone notifying them of the intention to create the BIZ.

If a particular business is in opposition, they then have thirty days to fill out a notice of objection and return it to the City of Winnipeg.  If one-third of the businesses representing one-third of the business assessment base file a notice of objection, then the proposal is defeated and the BIZ cannot be established. If sufficient objection is not received, then the City may pass a by-law designating the area as a BIZ. Once the BIZ has been formally established, a Board of Management is elected from within the membership. As well, one member of the City Council is required to sit as a Board member.

How does the City help?

While the concept of BIZ suggests that the emphasis for the success of this type of programming relies on the input of the business community, the City of Winnipeg also recognizes the importance of this approach and is committed in its support and encouragement to business groups to examine BIZ as an option for their area. In order to foster this encouragement, the City, through the Planning, Property and Development Department will provide a range of staff resources to business groups who may be interested in BIZ.

What are the advantages of a BIZ?

The establishment of a Business Improvement Zone has clear advantages for the business community. It can serve as a tool for organizing businesses towards co-operative efforts and it can act as a key to developing a more attractive physical environment and a more successful business area.