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 the strong relationships that help our communities thrive.
Ottawa’s 18 BIAs are local boards of the City of Ottawa, representing more than 7,200 businesses across urban, suburban, and rural neighbourhoods. As the unified voice for those BIAs, OCOBIA works year-round to advocate on behalf of Ottawa’s small businesses — bringing forward the priorities, challenges, and opportunities facing local entrepreneurs and ensuring mainstreets are represented in the decisions shaping our city.
From streetscape improvements and economic resilience to events, cultural programming, and community safety, BIAs are direct investors in the success of their neighbourhoods. Events like yesterday’s reception are an important part of strengthening the partnership between BIAs and the City — because thriving mainstreets require collaboration at every level.
A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us, and to SuzyQ Doughnuts (Wellington West BIA & Bells Corners BIA) for the doughnuts!
Here’s to continued growth — for BIAs, for Ottawa, and for the local businesses that make this city what it is.