FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 17, 2025
The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) is proud to announce the launch of its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive framework designed to guide OBIAA’s mission to build the capacity of Main Streets across Ontario.
Developed in collaboration with the OBIAA Board of Directors and with the expertise of Caroline Polgrabia (Tourism Industry Advisor at Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming), this strategic plan reflects OBIAA’s commitment to strengthening local economies and fostering thriving Main Streets throughout the province.
The plan focuses on three key Main Street strategies to drive success:
Strengthening Organizational Capacity and Sustainability – Enhancing OBIAA’s operational resilience through diversified revenue streams, optimized resource allocation, and robust risk management.
Empowering Advocacy for Economic and Social Well-being – Equipping members with the tools, resources, and data needed to amplify their impact on local economies and community development.
Building Member Capacity through Knowledge – Facilitating collaboration, best practices, and training to empower members to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
“Bringing this plan to our members is a milestone for OBIAA,” said Doug Sams, President of OBIAA. “This document serves as a roadmap to ensure that Ontario’s Main Streets continue to thrive. With clear objectives and performance indicators, we are committed to making an impact that resonates across our communities.”
OBIAA’s Vision is for every Ontario community to have thriving Main Streets, where economic vitality, collaboration, and innovation drive local success. The OBIAA Mission Statement is to provide the resources, networks, and advocacy required to support Main Street resilience and growth. Through this mandate, OBIAA will continue to raise the profile of Main Streets as economic and social drivers, ensuring they remain desirable places to live, work, and invest.
This plan will guide OBIAA’s efforts over the next four years, aligning initiatives with its core principles of collaboration, strategic foresight, operational excellence, and focused solutions. By working together with BIAs, municipalities, and stakeholders across Ontario, OBIAA is poised to lead the way in supporting strong, vibrant local Main Street economies.
For more information on OBIAA’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, visit www.obiaa.com or contact:
Kay Matthews
Executive Director | Ontario BIA Association
[email protected] | 905-271-7222
ABOUT OBIAA
OBIAA, since 2001, is the network that represents unique and vibrant main streets and BIAs across Ontario. As the leading catalyst, OBIAA raises the profile and builds the capacity of main streets across the province, working to build economic prosperity and social cohesiveness, making Ontario stronger by ensuring main streets are desirable and viable places to invest and live.
OBIAA collectively represents:
- More than 100,000 businesses
- More than 18,000 property owners
- 6 million employees and jobs
- Current Value Assessment (CVA) of more than $70 billion
- Our BIAs collectively generate >$55 million in public realm investment funds through special municipal levies and combined levy of more than $765 million spent keeping Ontario’s communities vital and economically strong
ABOUT Ontario’s BIAs
The first BIA Legislation in the world was created in 1970 in a partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bloor West Village and the City of Toronto. Since then, the BIA Legislation has continued as a partnership between the businesses, within a by-lawed boundary, and the municipality with monies generated by a “self-funded’ – additional levy on commercial property owners within the BIA boundaries. BIAs work hand-in-hand with the economic development offices in their municipalities to create jobs and strong businesses.
March 17, 2025 – OBIAA – Media Release – OBIAAs 2025-2028 Strategic Plan – Building Local Success Together
OBIAA – STRAT Plan 2025-2028 – Building Local Success Together
