ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
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Business Improvement Areas (BIA) was
a 1970s world first incarnation in Toronto,
Canada where businesses actually requested
to be part of a voluntary tax to improve and
revitalise neighbourhoods. Bloor West Village
businesses saw sales volumes increase 40-
70%.
http://torontoist.com/2013/02/toronto-invents-
the-business-improvement-area/
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Economic studies in many US municipalities
show that higher density mixed use of
between 2-5 storeys return higher rates and
taxes to LGAs.
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (Michigan) –
inviting entrepreneurs and business to their
(refreshed) version of public/private/not-for-
profit (they call it triple p) of revitalisation.
Incorporation of a ‘dot org’ group allows them
access to public funds. They have also funded
studies supporting the notion and evidence of
increased economic impact when wage (and
ethnic) equalisation occurs in a community.
The central question was raised ‘Why people love
living somewhere’. The push is for creative place
making that provides an economic (direct + indirect)
return. Beautification is used as an investment
attraction tool.
http://downtowngr.org/
The reinvigoration of local manufacturing utilising
local skills base was interesting to observe, and
the federal government support for technology,
innovation, small business funding and export
development.
The strong message at the state and federal
levels to trumpet local jobs and local vitality was
received loud and clear and the opportunities within
downtowns and outer metropolitan urban areas was
also interesting to observe.
VOL.11 NO.1 2018 | 23