What does the Old Town Kemptville BIA Do?
- Cultivates the downtown’s identity and effectively promotes it.
- Attracts and retains customers for the local area.
- Fosters a stronger sense of collaboration and enthusiasm among businesses.
- Sparks heightened community interest and pride.
- Enhances municipal engagement in the downtown area.
- Offers a hub for information and resources related to business matters.
- Elevates the downtown’s appeal as a shopping, working, and business destination.
- Orchestrates special events and champions tourism in downtown Kemptville
Shelley Mitchell
To Be Continued
Nina Tachuk
Royal LePage Team Realty
Sierra Jones-Martel
NG Public Library
John Barclay
NG Council Liaison
Mary-Anne Leang
Jansen Law | Reuben Suites
Volunteer Board of Directors
Meet the business owners that make up the board of the Old Town Kemptville BIA!
Active Subcommittees
Marketing & Programming
Executive Committee
Buskerfest
Executive Director
bia@downtownkemptville.ca
BIA Organization Structure
The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association defines a BIA as “A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a “made-in-Ontario” innovation that allows local business people and commercial property owners and tenants to join together and, with the support of the municipality, to organize, finance, and carry out physical improvements and promote economic development in their district.
Traditionally, a BIA is a body established by a municipality using the specific business improvement area provisions in the Municipal Act, 2001. It is governed by a board of management. Business and property owners or others can request that a BIA be designated by a municipal bylaw. BIAs are local entities. The legislation states they are local boards. People also refer to the geographic area designated by a municipality for a BIA as the BIA.
Once a traditional BIA is approved by municipal council, businesses within its boundaries become members and pay the BIA levy along with their property taxes. A traditional BIA view is that this structure reflects the principle that all who benefit should be required to bear their fair share of the cost of the program. In addition, the arrangement provides a secure source of funding for BIA activities.
In addition, many BIAs undertake public and private fundraising to raise funds for special events or activities.
Associate Memberships are available to businesses who operate outside of the footprint.
Board of Directors prepare an annual budget for the membership and is submitted to property and business owners for review and feedback at the Annual General Meeting. Furthermore, annual BIA budgets are submitted to Municipal Council for approval, as well as being independently audited by external auditors.
BIA Levy calculation formula: property assessment value X BIA rate = BIA levy
Individuals who sit on the board are property and business owners from the district and community who volunteer their time and passion, on an unpaid basis, while the day-to-day operations of the BIA are typically managed by the Executive Director.
A BIA Board is elected by its members and approved by Municipal Council, which also appoints a local councillor, or councillors, to sit on the Board.
The Executive Director & staff are not voting members of the Board and is employed by the Downtown Kemptville BIA.
The Kemptville BIA Footprint is comprised of the commercial zoned properties from Clothier St, and down Prescott St ending at Elizabeth st.
Your Voice Matters
The Downtown Kemptville BIA Advocate for investors, employers, workers, residents, and visitors.
BIA Minutes
2024 Meeting Minutes
2023 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Schedule
The Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area Board of Management meetings are open to all and take place monthly during the day.
Board of Management Meeting
Open to the public
Third Wednesday of the month
11am to 1pm
North Grenville Public Library
For more information contact: bia@downtownkemptville.ca
