Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)

What Does a BIA Do?

The BIAs have a two-fold mandate:

• To oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area above and beyond that provided by the municipality generally, and;
• To promote the area as a business and shopping district.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the Downtown Elmira BIA and St. Jacobs BIA have become involved in numerous activities, which often include:

• Marketing: Understanding the customer base, and promoting the shopping area effectively.
• Business Recruitment: Working with property owners to help ensure that available space is occupied, and that an optimum business/service mix is achieved and maintained.
• Streetscape Improvement and Other Amenities: Providing for more customer-friendly lighting, signage, street furniture, planters, banners and sidewalk treatment.
• Seasonal Decorations: Creating a unique and pleasant environment for customers and staff of all businesses, retail and non-retail, through the use of decorations that are appropriate to the season and holiday.
• Special Events: Organizing and partnering in special events that highlight unique attributes of the area and increase customer visits.

BIA Meetings, Agendas and Minutes 

Downtown Elmira BIA

The Downtown Elmira BIA represents the business and property owners of the Elmira Core Commercial Area. The Township of Woolwich appointed the following board members:

• John Tsintaris (Chair) - Sweet Scoops
• Jon Clay (Vice-Chair, Secretary) - SOS Physiotherapy 
• Dana Costello - Property Owner
• Steve Pond - Elmira Vacuum & Electrical
• Jim Henwood - The Bargain Shop
• Krista McBay - Home Hardware
• Dave Schnider - Elmira Sip 'N Bite
• Nathan Cadeau - Ward 1 Councillor 

The board of the Downtown Elmira BIA meets once per month at 6 p.m. either as a hybrid meeting or online. All general members are welcome to attend BIA board meetings to observe. All interested parties or members of the public willing to participate by presenting an agenda item or an idea in-person at the meeting can contact elmirabia@gmail.com for more information.

St. Jacobs BIA

The St. Jacobs BIA represents the business and property owners of the St. Jacobs Core Commercial Area. The Township of Woolwich appointed the following Board Members:

• Nick Benninger (Chair) - Jacob's Grill & The Charcuterie Bar 
• Craig Miller (Vice-Chair) - Exclusive Elements
• Graham Spence (Treasurer) - Block 3
• Lea Riddlepitre (Secretary) - Taste, The Flavour Emporium
• Brittany Burgess - La Creme
• Edward Denyer - Eco-Cafe
• Michael Palmer - Quarry
• Phil Hipkiss - Block 3
• Dan Vandermolen - Change Lifestyle & Apparel
• Eric Schwindt - Ward 2 Councillor

The board of the St. Jacobs BIA meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. either as a hybrid meeting or online. All general members are welcome to attend BIA board meetings to observe. If you would like to participate by presenting an agenda item or an idea to the Board of Management contact them at coordinator@stjacobsvillage.com. 

For more information visit St. Jacobs Village online.

Becoming a BIA Board Member

The BIA Boards of Management follow the same term of Council, with general members appointed by Council and with one member of Council supporting each board. 

To become a BIA Board Member, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• property owner within the Downtown Elmira BIA or St. Jacobs BIA boundary; or
• a business owner/tenant within either boundary; or
• an employee of a business within either boundary.

The Boards of Management are often in need of more help. If you are interested in becoming a board member, email us for more information and indicate the BIA board you are interested in joining. 

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