What is a Business Improvement Area (BIA)?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a non-profit organization representing businesses and commercial property owners within a defined area. A BIA is created through a City bylaw and funded through a shared contribution from commercial properties within the district. The City collects these funds and the BIA uses them to support programs that benefit the area.

Purpose

To support the business district through:

• Marketing and promotion

• Events and community activities

• Streetscape improvements

• Advocacy with the City on issues such as parking, safety, and infrastructure

Why Form a BIA in Steveston Village?

About 40 businesses currently fund marketing, events, and beautification in the village, supported by volunteer time and effort. This model has worked for many years but is difficult to sustain.

A BIA creates a fair and stable funding model, allowing the district to support marketing, events, beautification, and advocacy that benefits the entire business area. This approach helps strengthen the commercial district and support long-term property value.

What Can a BIA Do for Steveston Village?

Marketing and promotion that brings more customers to Steveston businesses.

Events and seasonal programming that attract shoppers, families, and visitors to the village.

Improved streetscapes and storefronts that strengthen the appearance of the commercial district.

Advocacy with the City on issues such as parking, lighting, safety, and infrastructure.

Village branding and destination marketing that positions Steveston as a place to shop, dine, and visit.

Business support and collaboration that helps local businesses grow and succeed.

BIAs support many of Metro Vancouver’s most successful commercial districts, including Kerrisdale, South Granville, and Downtown Vancouver.

How is a BIA Funded?

A Business Improvement Area is funded through a shared contribution from commercial properties within the district.

Each property contributes a portion of the annual budget based on its assessed property value.

For example, if a property represents 1% of the total assessed value within the BIA boundary, it would contribute 1% of the annual budget.

The City collects these funds and the BIA uses them to support marketing, events, beautification, and district initiatives that benefit the area.

Important: A BIA can only be established through a City bylaw following a formal notification process with all affected property owners.

Why Now?

Steveston has grown into one of Richmond’s most recognized business and visitor destinations.

A BIA would provide the structure and resources needed to support the village long term, with coordinated marketing, consistent programming, and a unified voice working with the City.

Did You Know?

There are 22 BIAs in Vancouver and more than 500 across Canada supporting local commercial districts.

Many of Metro Vancouver’s most successful commercial districts operate with BIAs.
Learn more about Business Improvement Areas: bia.bc.ca

For more information or to discuss the proposed BIA: 

info@stevestonmerchants.com