What is the size and makeup of a typical BIA?
Size and makeup of BIAs vary greatly. BIAs can contain less than 50 businesses or over 2000 businesses. In the beginning a typical BIA consisted primarily of small retail businesses. Today’s BIA membership is far more diverse. BIAs now represent a wide variety of businesses – professional and creative services, high-tech, light industrial, restaurants, entertainment, etc. Typically, BIAs consist of a strip along a single main street although some cover several blocks. Some identify with the ethnic makeup of their surrounding neighbourhoods. Others are located in historical sections of the City. And still others are made up of related businesses. The only common denominator is a desire to enhance their business area and improve their community.
