The 17th Avenue Business Improvement Area (BIA) is committed to preserving the diverse and energetic character of the area’s business community. We advocate for public safety, revitalize public spaces, implement placemaking initiatives and collaborate with City departments to enhance economic well-being and attract new businesses, fostering a thriving and inclusive environment for all.

What is a Business Improvement Area or BIA?

If you have not been part of a BIA before, or need a refresher, here is a little about us. We are responsible for economic development initiatives, beautification, general promotion of approximately 40 blocks of the 17th Avenue SW corridor and ensuring that it is a safe and welcoming place for all. We are also here to use our voice to advocate for our business community on a range of economic, social and environmental issues.

We are a not-for-profit association that is funded by an annual levy collected from the businesses within the BIA boundary. The City of Calgary is responsible for determining levy amounts and the collection of said levy.

We encourage you to get involved with our promotions and events, engage with us on social media, and share your ideas for how we can collectively make the 17th Ave corridor an even better place to visit, work, and do business. Your input and participation are invaluable as we continue to shape and reimagine the future of our business corridor.

What Do We Do?

• Advocate on behalf of businesses in our corridor.
• Create and implement initiatives that drive awareness and growth.
• Build community through support and engagement.
• Positively impact the livelihood and diversity of our business community.
• Develop programs to beautify and enhance public spaces.

Benefits

• Listing of your business on our website and access to our events calendar.
• Events to engage to community and encourage consumers to pop down to the 17th Ave area.
• We have a goal of making the 17th Ave area the top destination in Calgary.
• We are here to use our voice to advocate for the business community on a range of economic, social, and environmental issues. Share with us what keeps you up at night so we can help!
• Working with our community partners and cleaning crew, we make it our business to keep the 17th Ave area clean and safe for all to enjoy.
• A compassionate, caring, and supportive business community.
• A newsletter filled with vital information that may impact your business. Please read it carefully.
• Our digital presence meets around 2+ million users every year. Yup, we’re pretty social.

What You Can Do

• Informing us when you open, close or move your business.
• Provide us with your contact information.
• Fill out our business registry form. We want to list you on our website!
• Follow us on social media and tag us in your posts.

• Let us know (by sending an email to [email protected]) if you have an event, sale, promotion or special coming up. We will put it on our events calendar!

• Participate in 17^th Avenue BIA programming and events.
• Attend our info sessions or schedule a meeting to learn more about us and what we do for you.
• Utilized the provided resource list.
• Ask us questions and share your concerns – we often have or are actively working on solutions.

Website Listing and Business Information

Our website sees thousands of visitors every month, so make sure your business is easy to find. We also need a way to connect with you. Send the following to [email protected] to get your business profile set up:

• Primary contact – (phone and email)
• Public contact (phone and email)
• Business address
• Business description
• Business website
• Business social media links
• Business logo on a transparent background
• Images & and videos of your business

Important to Note
*It is important to note that we are not a marketing or media agency. We represent over 700 businesses and therefore cannot guarantee individual posts on our social media page. Additionally, we do not offer paid advertising or post requests.