BIA Members’ Area

For information about what a BIA is and how it operates, visit our About the BIA page.

The Uptown Waterloo BIA is comprised of four staff members (see job descriptions under Policies & Procedures):

• Jeyas Balaskanthan, Executive Director (Full-time)
• Jane Barkley, Marketing, Events & Communications Manager (Full-time)
• Christy Bertrand, Placemaking & Outreach Manager (Full-time)
• Farah Modh Fadzil, Operations Coordinator (Part-time)

Members of a BIA consist of persons who are assessed, on the last returned assessment roll, with respect to rateable property in the area that is in a prescribed business property class and tenants of each property. You are a member of the BIA if your business is located within the designated boundary, as delineated by the City of Waterloo. If you’re unsure if your business is within the BIA boundary, refer to the BIA Boundary Map.

The prime mandate of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) is to promote and beautify the core area of Waterloo. For more information about how this mandate is put into action by our Beautification and Marketing committees, visit the BIA Committees page.

For a broad sense of what the BIA is responsible for, see the About the BIA page. 

For more examples, please do not hesitate to be in touch with us by email (uptownwaterloobia@waterloo.ca) or phone (519-885-1921).

To get the most out of your membership, Uptown Waterloo encourages its members to become involved and engaged. A successful BIA depends on its members to work together and toward the shared goal of creating a vibrant and dynamic core.

Stay connected!

• Sign up to receive email updates from the BIA on topics like upcoming events, construction updates, and business opportunities, as well as our regular newsletters
• Attend Membership Meetings
• Talk to us if you need assistance or have feedback! Contact the office at 519-885-1921 or uptownwaterloobia@waterloo.ca
• Let us know about upcoming business milestones like anniversaries

Join our leadership teams!

• Join the Board of Directors when mid-term positions become available
• Run for the Board of Directors elections

Take advantage of opportunities!

• Advertise your business events on our events calendar
• Taking advantage of our BIA programs for members (complete list below)
• Participate in Uptown Waterloo events

• Hand in Hand Program – Receive funding to support events, promotions, sidewalk activations, indoor decorations, live music and entertainment, or advertising and marketing.
• Graffiti Removal – Regular removal of graffiti on Uptown properties
• Uptown Dollars – Gift certificates valid at all Uptown Waterloo businesses, except the LCBO
• Outreach Support – Support for the marginalized population in Uptown Waterloo