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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a BIA (Business Improvement Area)?
A: The idea of BIAs started in the 1970's when shopping malls started opening and local neighbourhoods needed to start promoting a Shop Local concept. They are a creation of the Province's Municipal Act and as such, are Committees of Council; considered a Local Board. They are run by a Board of Management, elected by the Members but appointed by Council for a four year term (the life of Council) and must have at least one Councillor sit on the Board.
Q: What does the BIA do for its Members?
A: Traditionally BIA were charged with beautification of Municipal property within the footprint and general promotion of the area as a business and shopping district. These days BIAs are much more. BIAs provide business tools and information, area marketing, promotional events and advocacy on issues of member interest as well as help contribute to the economic development of the entire community. The BIA model builds on the idea that pooled social and financial resources within a commercial area can improve the opportunity for local business owners to generate revenue. The Old Town Kemptville BIA is committed to the ongoing branding, promotion and support of the local business community.
Q: How do I become a member of the Old Town Kemptville BIA?
A: Membership is restricted to commercial building owners and their business tenants in a proscribed area. For our current BIA the area includes the following boundaries: Clothier Street East from Barnes Street to Rideau Street and Prescott Street from Clothier Street East to Elizabeth Street with a bit of Sanders Street from Clothier Street East to Oxford Street East. The businesses in the triangle bordered by Rideau Street,Sanders Street and Clothier Street East are Associate Members. They enjoy all the services of the BIA; can have input and give advice but are non-voting members.
Q: Where does the BIA get it's funds?
A: Commercial building owners within the BIA footprint pay a levy based on the assessed value of their property and if they have business tenants pass a portion of that levy along to them. The levy is collected with Municipal commercial property taxes and is remitted to the BIA twice a year. The amount of the levy is determined by the value of their property and the size of the BIA's budget, set and controlled by a volunteer BIA Board of Management.
Currently, the BIA's budget is $25,500 per year and the average levy is $325 a year, both very small compared to other similar BIA's in the region. For example, the Downtown Carleton Place BIA's 2017 budget was $150,000 and the average annual levy was $1,000.
The levy works to provide guaranteed revenue to a BIA that is dedicated to community improvements, and in turn shifts the general business mindset from independent wealth to collective benefit.
Q: The BIA is looking to expand it's boundaries; it mentions the Urban Service Area.
What is the Urban Service Area?
A: It is what we commonly refer to as the Town of Kemptville. The boundaries would include the eQuinelle development to the North and Somerville Road to the West. It includes the Kemptville Campus Buildings to the South and East past the 416 to where VanBuren Road meets Hwy 43. The latest draft of the BIA Boundary Expansion Prospectus can be download from: http://www.oldtownkemptville.com
