Info for BIZ Members
What is a BIZ?
A Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) is a non-profit association made up of business owners in a particular area of Winnipeg who seek to promote the zone as a positive environment for business. Through a BIZ, local businesses can share ideas on how to attract clients and customers, undertake physical improvements to the areas they work in and market themselves.
We provide a variety of services directly to member businesses, such as grant programs and marketing support. We also undertake community-wide projects like installing street furniture, litter cleanup, summer landscaping and street festivals.
There are 16 operational BIZs in Winnipeg which have been established through a bylaw passed by City Council. This bylaw outlines the specific responsibilities of the BIZ. You can read it here.
Who is a member of the BIZ?
Every for-profit business located in our designated Zone automatically becomes a member of our BIZ. Non-profit organizations and home-based businesses are not eligible for BIZ membership or benefits.
We represent over 100 businesses located within the West Broadway Business Improvement Zone. Each member is eligible to attend our Annual General Meeting, vote on our annual budget & program of activities, and join of Board of Directors.
Who runs the BIZ?
The West Broadway BIZ is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of eight members: Seven of whom are local business owners or employees, and one of whom is a member of City Council.
The Executive Director and staff create and oversee all programs, initiatives and projects. Student crews help out in the summer. The BIZ also has active volunteer committees comprised of board members, local business owners and area stakeholders. These committees help guide staff, review programs and take on other duties. The West Broadway BIZ committees have historically included Marketing, Streetscaping and the Committee of Urban Thinking. All members are encouraged to get involved with our commitees.
How is the BIZ funded?
Member businesses within the zone pay a BIZ levy which is based on the annual rental value (ARV) of their space. Each year, the BIZ determines the budget needed to provide programming and services to its zone. A corresponding levy percentage is applied to the ARV of each business in order to generate the required funds.
The City of Winnipeg collects this levy through business taxes, then remits it to the BIZ for the purpose of carrying out its programming. Although the levy is collected by the City of Winnipeg, a BIZ is independent and is not a department of the city.
BIZ staff leverage this basic operating budget to obtain additional funding through Municipal, Provincial & Federal grant programs, sponsorships and other revenue streams.
What is my business' ARV?
You can ask the BIZ. Your ARV is also shown on the top of your annual business tax bill, along with your levy rate.
The Annual Rental Value (ARV) is the amount for which the space your business occupies will typically rent. The ARV does not necessarily equal the rent actually paid for the space; it is representative of prevailing rents for similar space in the rental market. The ARV is equal to the net rent per square foot (derived from market transactions) plus the costs of comfortable occupancy, multiplied by the square foot area of the premises occupied. Occupancy costs include the estimated cost of providing heat and other services necessary for the comfortable use or occupancy of the premises. The City of Winnipeg regularly undertakes ARV assessments.