Who We Are
Mission
The Old St. Vital Business Improvement Zone supports its members in their collective efforts to promote Old St. Vital as a welcoming, well maintained and safe environment for businesses and visitors.
Vision
A vibrant, attractive and prosperous destination for businesses and people.
Guiding Principles
- We are stronger and more relevant when we work as a team, collaborate as partners and engage our members around issues that affect the collective.
- We respect Old St. Vital BIZ members’ input and seek out opportunities to hear from our members, address their concerns and celebrate our successes together.
- Old St. Vital has a vibrant history which we recall with pride and use to inform
future development planning. - We encourage mixed-use development in our Zone as a means to ensure Old St. Vital is a dynamic, thriving business community.
- We understand and support safe transportation and parking options that are important to member businesses.
What is a BIZ?
A BIZ is an association of business people who join together to promote a common business location and to implement positive changes and beautification.
Consumers and businesses typically notice improvements when businesses gain control of their business area and oversee functions like streetscaping and marketing.
Overview of Business Improvement Zones (BIZ)
- The City of Winnipeg Act was amended in July 1987 to allow the establishment of business improvement zones within the City of Winnipeg.
- This concept is similar to the business model that makes shopping malls successful.
- BIZ increases each business’ portion of the market share.
- The BIZ concept originated in Toronto more than 40 years ago. Since that time, BIZ has proven to be successful in many major centers across Canada.
- BIZ gives businesses the opportunity to organize themselves in an effort to make improvements and market their businesses while halting decline and rejuvenating their business area.
What does a BIZ do?
The overall look of an area helps to promote the local businesses. Whether it is the vibrant floral displays in the summer, the brilliant lights that shine during the winter or the graffiti removal services provided. If asked, members will tell you that providing an environment where their clients and customers enjoy visiting is just good business sense.
What are the advantages of a BIZ?
BIZ can serve as a tool for organizing businesses toward cooperative efforts and is often key to developing a more attractive physical environment and a more successful business area.
How many BIZ groups are in the City of Winnipeg?
There are currently 16 BIZ Associations in Winnipeg.
