Downtown Stratford BIA

The Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area is Stratford, Ontario's only Business Improvement Area (BIA). The Board of Management of the Downtown Stratford BIA consists of up to eight (8) volunteers who are business owners or representatives in the Stratford BIA boundaries, plus a City Council representative. The positions are a four year term that runs concurrently with city council terms. The current term ends November 14, 2022. These volunteers represent over 300 stores and businesses in the city centre.

From time to time, mid-term vacancies may occur. The City will advertise for any mid-term vacancies. If you wish to apply, please fill out the application and send it in to the Clerk's Office, 1 Wellington Street, Stratford, Ontario.

Eligibility for Appointment to the Board of Management of the Downtown Stratford BIA

Every person who owns a commercial or industrial property within an area where a business improvement area (BIA) is established, who is shown on the last revised assessment roll of the City of Stratford is responsible for paying the BIA levy, is subject to receiving notices and therefore eligible to be appointed to the Board of Directors.
In the (BIA) City Centre, every person who operates a business, either owning the business premises or holding them under a lease requiring the payment of property taxes, is subject to receiving notice and therefore is eligible to be appointed to the Board of Directors.
Every person operating a business in leased space under a gross lease entered into on or before June 11, 1998 is a member of the (BIA) City Centre whether or not the landlord has exercised the right to make the business owner responsible for the (BIA) City Centre levy.
Incorporated members shall be represented only by a named person so designated in the corporation's official designation letter for that purpose filed with the City of Stratford.

Ineligible Persons

Notwithstanding Paragraph 3 above, every person operating a business in leased spaced under a gross lease that was entered into between January 16, 1997 (the date of the introduction of the Fair Municipal Finance Act, 1997 which repealed the business occupancy tax) and June 11, 1998 (the date the Small Business and Charities Protection Act, 1998 took effect) is eligible for appointment if the landlord and tenant took the elimination of the business occupancy tax into account when determining the rent. Every person who is not subject to notice, is therefore, not eligible for appointment.

Every person operating a business in leased space under a gross lease that was entered into after June 11, 1998 is not subject to notice, are therefore, not eligible for appointment.

Downtown Stratford BIA Information

For more information about the Downtown Stratford BIA, including information about their aims and objectives, current activities, sub-committees and members check out their website.