Businesses in Surrey's Newton Town Centre area have been given the go-ahead to form a business improvement association (BIA), the City of Surrey announced March 11.
Surrey city council approved a bylaw March 10 that will allow local businesses and property owners to form the Newton Business Improvement Association, which will aim to increase business in the area. The association will work on improving community safety, street beautification and marketing for members.
"Engagement and partnerships are so important to supporting business development and a sense of community within a neighbourhood," says City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.
"Forming the Newton BIA gives a voice to the business community and demonstrates their commitment to enhancing both connectedness and an economically robust business district in Newton."
The BIA will aim to decrease crime in the area. A March 7 Insights West survey identified crime as the number one concern of residents of Surrey.
The next steps for the association include recruiting an executive director, finding a location for the office and developing a strategic plan.
This will be the third BIA in the City of Surrey; the two others are the Downtown Surrey BIA and the Cloverdale BIA.
