News release

Council Endorses Proposed Cooksville Business Improvement Area

Business and innovation | November 13, 2019

Today at General Committee, Mississauga City Council endorsed the creation of a by-law to establish a Cooksville Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Ward 7. This will be formally voted on by Council on November 20.

“BIAs are important to the fabric of a community as they perform various duties including advocacy, beautification, revitalization and maintenance, along with business recruitment activities to promote tourism and economic development,” said Ward 7 Councillor, Dipika Damerla. “Establishing a BIA in Cooksville will create a hub where business and community can grow prosperously together to benefit all who live, work and visit the area. I would like to thank members of the Cooksville Steering Committee, City staff and residents for their efforts in working to make this a reality for thousands of businesses in the area.”

The process for creating a BIA and establishing its board of management is outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001. If the proposal moves ahead, City staff will draft a by-law for Council’s approval in early 2020. If passed, Cooksville will be the City’s fifth BIA with a proposed preliminary budget of $350,000 for its first year in operation.

BIAs are self-funded by a levy and use the revenue as a primary source of funding to implement initiatives that are a priority to its members in partnership with the City. The cost of the levy will be determined by the BIA in 2020 and will be collected from their members. There are currently BIAs operating in Clarkson, Malton, Port Credit and Streetsville.

“We are pleased to take part in this process and assist all parties in reaching their goals. Our focus is to continue to shape and build neighbourhoods that are inclusive and vibrant,” said Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner of Planning and Building. “During this process, City Staff helped the Steering Committee establish its boundaries, develop a preliminary budget and work through the legislative process.”

Council has directed staff to draft the Cooksville BIA by-law and provide technical support to the BIA Steering Committee during the early stages of its formation.

The proposed catchment area is the intersection of Hurontario and Dundas Streets. It will extend along Hurontario Street from Floradale Drive in the south to the train line and lands around the Cooksville Go Station in the north; and along Dundas Street from Confederation Parkway in the west, to Cawthra Road in the east.