Expanding the Role of Ottawa BIAs in Community Safety and Well-Being
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,...
OCOBIA Hosts Networking Reception with City Hall to Celebrate Ottawa’s Mainstreets
Yesterday morning, OCOBIA welcomed City Staff, Councillors, and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to City Hall for a networking reception alongside Ottawa's Business Improvement Areas — a chance to connect, celebrate the work happening across our mainstreets, and continue building...
Thriving BIAs and neighbourhoods go hand in hand
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...
Chief Advocate, Michelle Groulx, to take temporary leave effective June 1
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...
Ottawa BIAs Engage Provincial Leaders at OBIAA Conference Roundtables
At the recent Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) conference, Ottawa's Business Improvement Areas had the opportunity to sit down with provincial representatives to discuss local challenges and share practical strategies to support businesses, increase foot traffic, and...
Ottawa BIAs Shine at the 2026 OBIAA Awards
Ottawa's Business Improvement Areas had a standout showing at the 2026 Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) Awards, with four recognitions across three local BIAs — and a deeply deserved Lifetime Achievement Award for one of the city's most dedicated BIA leaders. With a...
A Canadian innovation powering Ottawa’s 15 minute neighbourhoods
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...