As advocates of Downtown Smiths Falls, we strive to keep our business community informed and engaged.
It is important to us that our membership have an understanding of who we are, what we do, and why we do it.
The Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association is a business improvement area (BIA) established and governed by Section 204 of the Municipal Act. We are a local Board of the municipality, primarily managed by commercial property owners and tenants, working in partnership with the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls to advocate on behalf of Downtown Smiths Falls.
In the late 1960s, provincial legislation was created under the Municipal Act to establish a self-help program that empowered business communities to manage their own levy funds and build-up their downtowns or main streets. Recognizing that the downtown core required its own distinct promotion, beautification and maintenance efforts, the DSFBA was incorporated by the Town of Smiths Falls in accordance with the Municipal Act in 1982.
As outlined in Section 204 of the Municipal Act, the purpose of any business improvement area is:
a) to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality
generally; and
b) to promote the area as a business or shopping area
The Terms of Reference
The DSFBA Terms of Reference is our personalized governing document. It draws inspiration from the Municipal Act, direction from the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), and the identified needs unique to our business improvement area. It’s the who, what, where, why, when, and how of DSFBA procedure!
Read it HERE.
The Strategic Plan
Adopted by the Board in October 2021, the 2021 – 2024 Strategic Plan outlines the vision for the future of the DSFBA. Guided by the DSFBA mission and mandate, outlined in the Terms of Reference, the Strategic Plan is used to help us define our objectives, identify areas of opportunity and achieve our goals for the downtown.
Read it HERE.
Recent DSFBA Communications
