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Business Revitalization Zones

A Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) is a unique opportunity for businesses to work together to accomplish mutual goals. Customers want safe, interesting and attractive places to shop, dine and conduct business.

A BRZ can attract customers and enhance an area through:

• Streetscape improvements
• Joint promotions and festivals
• Economic development initiatives
• Facade Improvement Program
• Development Incentive Program

BRZ Business Association

A BRZ is initiated at the request of a business community. It is set up and governed by a combination of provincial legislation and City policy. When a BRZ is created, City Council establishes a business association, sets the BRZ boundary, and approves a Board of Directors and annual budget. The budgeted amount is collected through a special tax levy of BRZ members.

Once established, City Council annually approves the BRZ's budget, Board of Directors, and special tax levy. All monies collected by the City are returned to the Business Association in quarterly instalments to fund the BRZ's initiatives.

Maps of each of the BRZs in Edmonton are in the Related Documents section on the right side of this page.
Contact information for the various BRZs is available in a table further down this page.

Find the locations of all the BRZs in Edmonton.

Annual Requirements

A business association must meet several requirements each year:

• Produce an audited financial statement and annual report
• Conduct an annual general meeting for its members
• Nominate a Board of Directors
• Draft an annual budget

Many of Edmonton's current BRZs have hired an Executive Director to ensure that these requirements are met and to advance the association's initiatives.

Civic Coordinating Function

Sustainable Development provides the civic coordinating function for Edmonton's BRZs. Staff provide consultative and planning services related to the establishment and ongoing operation of BRZs. Staff also prepare BRZ reports and bylaws for City Council's consideration.

Business Revitalization Zones Handbook

The BRZ Handbook is available online (see related documents top right).

Sustainable Development, together with BRZ associations, created the BRZ Handbook as a one-stop resource for established and future business revitalization zones to improve their operating practices. The information is primarily for Executive Directors, BRZ Board members, local business owners and City officials.

The intent of the handbook is not to regulate BRZ services, but to answer questions on the management of a BRZ and ensure that services can be effectively provided, and to serve as a point of reference.

The handbook provides guidelines for the operations of a BRZ, such as hiring of staff and running effective meetings, provides information on strategic planning and financial management, and encourages BRZ Executive Directors and Board Members to discover new services and programs for their BRZ membership.

BRZ Contacts

The following table provides contact information for the various BRZs in Edmonton.

For more information:

Ken Zahara