About Us

The Orangeville BIA (OBIA) was created in 1978, in an era when traditional downtowns began to struggle to compete against malls and plazas. The OBIA was founded with the primary goal of bringing independent business owners together to build a stronger downtown commercial area and based on the belief that together we can accomplish more than we can alone. The Orangeville BIA is responsible through By-Law #23-78, for: “To oversee the improvement, beautification, and maintenance of municipally owned lands, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the Corporation of the Town of Orangeville and to promote that area as a business or shopping area.” In essence, the OBIA is a self-help business organization supported by the municipality.

Expanding its boundaries over the decades, the OBIA now incorporates over 150 properties and 250 businesses with a mandate to make improvements within the Area. These improvements include:
•Beautification
•General infrastructure improvements and upgrades
•Management of promotions, events and marketing
•Advocating on behalf of the interests of the business improvement area
•Undertaking strategic planning (as necessary)

The OBIA’s approach to its work is based on a deep-seated respect for Downtown Orangeville’s heritage, a forward-thinking approach to building and sustaining a healthy local economy, and the firm belief that working together is the key to the Area’s success.

The OBIA currently represents over 250 businesses and over 150 commercial properties, from Lakeview Court and the Best Western in the east all along Broadway to Faulkner St., includes all, or portions of, several side streets in between, plus large commercial areas to the north. Browse the OBIA’s Business Directory here.

Our Mission
To support our members by contributing to the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of our community.

Our Vision
The future we will create
To be a must-visit arts, entertainment, and culinary short-stay destination that exudes authentic, small-town charm with big town tastes.

Our Values
Collaboration
“Working together to achieve our Vision through leadership, teamwork, engagement, and collaboration.”
Purposefulness
“Focusing on the right things to achieve sustainable growth.”The OBIA is mandated with developing the downtown through beautification, general improvements and upgrades, promotion, events and marketing; to advocate on behalf of the interests of the business improvement area and to undertake strategic planning as necessary to make improvements to the Area.

The OBIA provides a mechanism for organizing and financing programs that would not be available to independent people by any other means. Most of the businesses within the OBIA boundaries are small, independently owned and operated retail stores, restaurants or services. The OBIA makes it possible for these businesses to collectively beautify their streetscape, making visiting their place of business more enjoyable for their customers, it provides for more cost effective advertising opportunities so these businesses can reach a wider audience, and provides administrative support as well as strategic planning with the future in mind. All businesses within the improved area reap the benefits of these improvements whether directly or indirectly. While not all businesses benefit directly from every initiative, all businesses within the BIA benefit from being located in an area that is attractive and prosperous.

The OBIA provides great rewards; increased traffic, sales and profits, a more successful and active business environment, a more beautiful community, and a restored sense of civic pride. A downtown that is thriving and prosperous is an essential element in a healthy local economy. Downtown is the heart of our community, and by strengthening the downtown area, the OBIA helps to create a vibrant place to live, to work, to do business, and to spend some free time.

As part of our mandate, the OBIA hosts events which focus on the promotion of Downtown Orangeville as a shopping, dining and business destination for locals and tourists alike. These events include the weekly Orangeville Farmers’ Market (Winter & Outdoor), Taste of Orangeville in August, Boo on Broadway in October, and the Tree Lighting  and Santa Claus Parade in November. We also sponsor/ support the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, Theatre Orangeville, Christmas in the Park, and other community events as these provide us with the opportunity to promote the downtown area and help to maintain Orangeville’s strong sense of community and history.
Quite simply, the Orangeville BIA is based on the principal that together we can accomplish more than we can alone.

OBIA Board of Management and Task Force Meetings are held monthly. More information about meetings can be found here.