ABOUT
Kingsville Business
Improvement Area
The Kingsville Business Improvement Area (KBIA) was created by the Town of Kingsville in 1979 to help all local businesses succeed by establishing Kingsville as Essex County’s premier shopping, business and dining destination.
The KBIA works to create optimum conditions for all Kingsville businesses to flourish, through the promotion of Kingsville as a prime shopping area, and tourist destination, lobbying for ‘smart growth’ in the community and providing local businesses with tools for success.
Membership in the KBIA is automatic for ALL commercial taxpaying businesses, property owners and professional service providers within the BIA’s boundaries. Businesses outside the boundaries and home-based businesses are also eligible to join through our Associate Membership program.
What is a BIA?
The Kingsville Business Improvement Area (KBIA) was created by the Town of Kingsville in 1979 to help all local businesses succeed by establishing Kingsville as Essex County’s premier shopping, business and dining destination.
The KBIA works to create optimum conditions for all Kingsville businesses to flourish, through the promotion of Kingsville as a prime shopping area, and tourist destination, lobbying for ‘smart growth’ in the community and providing local businesses with tools for success.
Membership in the KBIA is automatic for ALL commercial taxpaying businesses, property owners and professional service providers within the BIA’s boundaries. Businesses outside the boundaries and home-based businesses are also eligible to join through our Associate Membership program.
What Does a BIA Do?
The BIA has a two-fold mandate:
- to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided by the municipality generally, and
- to promote the area as a business and shopping district.
In carrying out these responsibilities, BIA’s have become involved in numerous activities, which often include:
- Marketing: Understanding who area customers are, and creating effective promotions to retain and expand the customer base.
- Business Recruitment: Working with property owners to help ensure that available space is occupied, and that an optimum business and service mix is achieved and maintained.
- Streetscape Improvement and Other Amenities: Providing for more customer-friendly lighting, signage, street furniture, planters, banners and sidewalk treatment.
- Seasonal Decorations: Creating a unique and pleasant environment for customers and staff of all businesses, retail and non-retail, through the use of decorations that are appropriate to the season and holiday.
- Special Events: Organizing and partnering in special events that highlight unique attributes of the area and increase customer visits
For more information on BIA’s in Ontario and how they are governed, please see the Business Improvement Area Handbook from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Benefits of a BIA
Business operators: A BIA can benefit more than just local retail businesses. All businesses in the area, whether professional, dining, entertainment, finance, or retail, may benefit from the improved local atmosphere and ambience that a successful BIA helps to create. It is the responsibility of each business to build upon the activities of the BIA and ensure that the customer receives best value in an efficient and courteous manner. An expanded customer base depends on the successful partnership between the activities of the association and individual businesses.
Property owners: BIA-initiated improvements and activities may lead to an increase in property values. Improvements help to create and sustain a more vibrant and viable economic environment within the local area. This attracts both commercial and service sector businesses to the area that, in turn, may lead to an increased demand for retail and office space, and a subsequent increase in property values.
Non-retailers also benefit: BIA improvements and activities help to create a more vibrant local community and a more prosperous local economic environment. A more vibrant community attracts more visitors and retains more local customers for all types of services – including dining, entertainment and professional services. In addition, a more vibrant community creates a more inviting atmosphere that clients and customers will enjoy visiting.
Other benefits:
- increasing community interest and pride in the business area
- ensuring on-going co-operation among the members of the business community
- improving lines of communications between the business community and municipal council and staff
- advocating membership interests and concerns through effective communication with both the municipality and other levels of government
- increasing cost savings to the membership through improved integration of capital funding and promotional activities
For more information on the Kingsville BIA and membership please read Kingsville BIA Information.
K.B.I.A. Boundaries
Businesses that are within a BIA’s boundaries become members and pay the BIA levy along with their property taxes. BIA’s are local entities and are local boards.
To see if your business is within the Kingsville BIA boundaries, see our Boundary Map
If you are a business outside of our boundaries but wish to be part of the Kingsville BIA please see our link on Associate Memberships
or call519-733-6250 and speak with the BIA Coordinator.
About Our BIA
A BIA is a geographic area in a municipality. A BIA can develop programs to improve and beautify the Improvement Area. Typical examples of commercial area public improvements which can be implemented by a BIA include; flower boxes, street banners street furniture, improved parking and more.
Our Team Members
BIA’s help to create stronger communities by supporting member participation through the Board of Directors and the committees of the BIA. These members include local business men and women. The formal BIA designation allows for a planned program to be developed with an annual budget contributed to by all its members.
More Facts About Us
The Kingsville Business Improvement Area was created by the Town of Kingsville in 1979. Many BIAs have programs that deal specifically with homelessness, graffiti, crime prevention, safety, transportation, accessibility, density, green spaces and other issues. In addition, BIAs have expanded their roles to include business recruitment as well.
Our Latest Projects
Bricks can be personalized and are available only at the Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre (cash or cheque only). We have a limited number of bricks remaining for sale for $200 each surrounding the clock. Already purchased a brick? Thank you for your donation. Your contribution truly enriches our Four Corners.