About SCDA

What is a BIA?

About SCDA

Created in 1973, the St. Catharines Downtown Association is a provincially legislated, not-for-profit Business Improvement Area (BIA). The basis of the Association’s funding is a levy placed on the municipal property tax of buildings located within the BIA’s prescribed area. The Association acts as a liaison between the downtown business community and the municipal government of St. Catharines.

Businesses located within the geographic boundaries of the St. Catharines Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) are automatically members of the St. Catharines Downtown Association. The Association represents over 500 businesses in the downtown, including retail, restaurants and professionals.

Mandate

The mandate of the St. Catharines Downtown Association is to participate in programs aimed at the physical improvement and beautification of the core, as well as the promotion of the Downtown as a great place in which to live, meet, shop, work and play.

We are here to support and advocate for our members. The Downtown Association office and its staff members implement, facilitate and monitor all the activities of the organization, while the Board and its committees determine these activities.

Strategic Plan

This plan is created for the organization, the Board of Directors, staff and members of the Downtown Business Improvement Area to communicate a clear vision forward through to 2020. Many of the Strategic Priorities and initiatives created will continue beyond this Plan. A new Strategic Plan will be put in place for 2021 – 2024. A copy of the current Strategic Plan is available on request from the Downtown Association office. Please call 905-685-8424 or email scda@rachelb75.sg-host.com

New Members

As a business located within the geographic boundaries of our Business Improvement Area (BIA), you are automatically a member of the St. Catharines Downtown Association. The SCDA welcomes you as one of over 500 business members in the downtown. We are here to support and advocate for you.

To learn more about the Association and the benefits of being a member, you can find out more by reviewing these resources:

Welcome Letter
Member Information Sheet
BIA Membership Handbook (March 2019)

As a new member, we hope you will consider getting involved with your Association by attending meetings or being part of a committee. To get involved and actively participate in decision making about your Downtown, please contact Tisha Polocko, Executive Director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association at 905-685-8424 or by email.

More About Member Resources