Economic Development
Ottawa’s Downtown BIA is stewarding the transformation of our city’s core into a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient economic hub.
Our focus is on attracting new investment, supporting local businesses, and creating the conditions for long-term growth. We’re working to bring people back downtown—whether to work, live, visit, or build—by championing a mix of residential and commercial development, improving public spaces, and forging strong partnerships across sectors. Through innovation and collaboration, we’re shaping a downtown that works for everyone.
Our Strategic Pillars
Economic Development is one of the Downtown BIA’s four strategic pillars, which also include Community Development, Destination Development and Member Advocacy.
Economic Development
- Downtown Action on Revitalization
- Strategic Partnerships
- Leasing Support Program
- Business attraction and retention efforts
- Investment attraction
- Workforce attraction
- Marketing and branding
Destination Development
- Public Realm - Street cleaning and maintenance
- Placemaking - Greenery and enhancements
- Programming and seasonal events
- Visitor promotions and attractions
- Branding and marketing
- Accessibility and sustainability
Community Development
- Partner with OBOT, OT, IO , City and others
- Partner with arts, culture, music, events organizations
- Sponsorship of partner events
- Liaison with community, safety and housing groups
- Communications and Media Relations
- Networking
Member Advocacy
- Represent BIA members at local and provincial levels
- Advocacy efforts
- Access to grants and funding
- Media and Public Relations
- Member Hub management
- Data collection on visitor traffic and spend
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