Downtown New Brunswick, our provincial BIA Association, describes a BIA as follows: “A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a geographically defined urban area which contains primarily non-residential properties. In New Brunswick, BIA boundaries usually encompass the area which has traditionally been considered the “downtown” of a community. The BIA concept provides a framework for organized business communities to cooperatively design and manage; promotional campaigns, beautification and upgrading programs and various other revitalization initiatives.”

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BIAs are formed under New Brunswick’s Business Improvement Areas Act, which was passed in 1981. All businesses and owners of commercial properties within the BIA boundary are part of the BIA. Funds are generated through a levy imposed on all non-residential property within the boundary of the BIA. These funds are used to support the operation of the BIA and its programming. Each year the BIA submits its annual budget describing how the funds are to be spent to the local Council for approval.