by Kelly Weiss | May 26, 2026 | Press Releases | Letters
OCOBIA has submitted a formal letter of support to the City of Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee in favour of the proposed boundary expansion of the Preston Street BIA (Agenda Item 7.7). The Preston Street BIA is one of Ottawa’s strongest...
by Kelly Weiss | May 26, 2026 | Press Releases | Letters
OCOBIA has submitted a formal letter of support to the City of Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee in favour of the proposed formation of the Cyrville Business Improvement Area (Agenda Item 7.8). Cyrville is at a transformative moment in its growth...
by Kelly Weiss | May 26, 2026 | Press Releases | Letters
Ottawa Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are increasingly expanding beyond their traditional economic development role to help address broader social challenges that impact main streets and neighbourhood well-being. This includes initiatives related to homelessness,...
by Kelly Weiss | May 11, 2026 | Press Releases | Letters
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is more than a network of local businesses. It reflects the neighbourhood it serves. When a BIA is active and thriving, it signals a vibrant, connected community where people take pride in where they live, shop, gather, and even sing...
by Kelly Weiss | May 1, 2026 | BIA News, News, Press Releases | Letters
The Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas (OCOBIA) represents the eighteen Business Improvement Areas (BIA) who are local boards of the City of Ottawa and governed by the Ontario Municipal Act. BIAs are non-partisan organizations. At OCOBIA, our Political...
by Kelly Weiss | Apr 15, 2026 | Press Releases | Letters
Business Improvement Areas are a Canadian innovation, first created in Toronto in 1970 when local businesses came together on Bloor to invest in their main street’s future. The idea quickly spread globally. In 1977, Ottawa established its first BIA on Bank Street (now...
