Based on the belief that a group has more clout and is more representative of the whole, Torontonians should be heartened by the large number of active Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) in Toronto. Whether you are new to a neighbourhood or whether your passions have been roused by a local issue, BIA’s can be a valuable source of information and a means of conveying opinion and concerns to City council.
An active business community will often beautify and add personality to an area by improving lighting, adding banners, plantings and sponsoring local events: the (18th) Taste of the Danforth comes to mind as does the (7th) Yonge Lawrence Village ARTWALK. A group of BIAs recently came together and helped redesign Roncesvalles Ave. Another neighbourhood where the BIA and the City have worked together is Islington Village where a unique identity has been created through the painting of a series of beautiful and historic murals.
Check out the BIA in your area, you may learn a thing or two about your neighbourhood, its businesses and residents.
