Laurene Viarobo is the Executive Director for the North Edge Business Association (NEBA) and her presentation is about the value of Business Revitalization Zones (BRZ) in general, and her BRZ in particular.
BRZs are more than a collection of businesses within a geographical area; they are groups of individuals coming together and building a better space to live, work and play, within the context of a larger community. They are important in the development of effective community and business building, largely because they act as liaisons between small business owners and the municipal government.
The NEBA BRZ stretches from 101 street to 118 street, and 5th avenue to the mid-block of 108 avenue. There are about 325 businesses within the district. NEBA's new three year operational plan includes a focus on: cleanliness, beautification and design improvement. There is also an economic programming plan. In operation since 2009, NEBA is currently in the process of developing programs and initiatives specific to the needs in their area.
This presentation was a part of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute Lunch and Learn Session, January 2014.
