Transit bus delays and cancellations possible beginning Monday, Nov 27. Check your bus schedule online before heading out.
Business Improvement Zones
The City works with 5,000 businesses in 16 Business Improvement Zones. These zones attract businesses of all kinds, creating unique destinations around Winnipeg.
Business Improvement Zones receive funding from an addition to the business tax called a BIZ Levy. The levy is set based on each Business Improvement Zone's annual budget. The City collects the levy through the business tax bill and transfers the funds to each BIZ.
How business taxes are calculated
Annual General Meeting guidance
The following materials are helpful when planning your AGM:
City of Winnipeg Business Improvement Procedures By-law 8111/2002
Budget template
This document helps Business Improvement Zones submit annual budget requests to the City Clerk’s Department after being approved at an Annual General Meeting.
Business Improvement Zone budget
Board nomination form
This document includes requirements from the Business Improvement Zone Procedures By-law 8111/2002 regarding how to apply for a position on a BIZ board.
Board nomination form template
The City of Winnipeg’s core insurance program is extended to Business Improvement Zones, providing property, equipment breakdown, and liability insurance. This arrangement is subject to full disclosure and reporting of any incidents to City insurance and the City’s Legal Services Department. To be eligible for insurance coverage, each BIZ must provide its operations, programming and inventory to the City every year.
- Insurance claim form
The BIZ must notify the City of Winnipeg Claims Branch within 24 hours of an incident and submit a claim form within seven days of an incident. - Incident reporting form
Business Improvement Zones must submit the incident reporting form if a BIZ employee causes damage or injury to others. - Waiver of liability
This form is required if a Business Improvement Zone uses volunteers to help with an event, program or project, or for a vendor or small contractor providing service (if they do not have a certificate of insurance).
The Mayor's Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) Awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to promote economic development in their local Business Improvement Zone and make Winnipeg's neighbourhoods and our city a better place to live, work and do business.
Awards are presented for significant contributions in one or more of the following categories: community program delivery, "place making" (beautification and streetscape enhancements), special events, marketing, promotion, and safety initiatives.
The call for 2023 nominations is now open. Submit nominations by following three easy steps:
- Review the Nomination Procedures
- Complete the Nomination Form
- Submit the completed form to the Executive Director of your Business Improvement Zone by September 15, 2023. Refer to the BIZ Directory for contact information.
Awards are presented for significant contributions in one or more of the following categories:
- community program delivery
- place making (beautification and streetscape enhancements)
- special events
- marketing
- promotion
- safety initiatives