All DWBIA membership programs and services spring from DWBIA’s mandates:

• To improve, beautify and maintain public lands and buildings within the DWBIA boundary, beyond that which is provided for by the municipality at large, (private lands and buildings); and
• To promote the area within the DWBIA boundary as a business and shopping area. Through its leadership in advocacy, infrastructure, development and promotion, the DWBIA works to ensure that downtown Windsor is the preferred place to work, visit and live. It exists to effectively represent the interests of all its member sectors – Restaurant/Club, Gaming, Hotel, Retail, Professional, Property Owner/Developer – as they relate to the economic, political and social vitality of the downtown business district.

 While serving our membership, we hope to:

• To develop strategies and tactics designed to attract business investment;
• To improve, beautify and maintain lands and buildings within the downtown area, beyond the level of maintenance provided by the municipality;
• To market Downtown Windsor as a great place for business investment, as well as a preferred destination for retail and hospitality services;

To meet our mandates, the DWBIA is active in the areas of marketing, business recruitment, residential enrichment, streetscape improvement, seasonal decorations, parkland beautification, event sponsorship and the promotion of cultural enrichment and music events.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Improved perceptions of Downtown Windsor as a safe place to live and visit;
• Increased population in the downtown area;
• Increased business investment;
• Increased retail investment as a percentage of the total;
• Increased arts and culture investment and activity;
• Co-operative and effective working relationships with other stakeholders.

DWBIA MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Marketing 

DWBIA conducts research to understand who our area customers are and strives to create effective opportunities to retain and expand the customer base.

Advocacy 

The DWBIA advocates on behalf of its constituents with government, other businesses, and agencies. The organization plays an active role assisting in the implementation of the 1995 City Centre Revitalization Study. It also facilitates dialogue and activity among key stakeholders, including the City's various departments, member businesses, other government agencies, the arts and culture community and the general public.

Strategy Development 

The DWBIA works with other Windsor stakeholders, primarily City Council, to develop strategies to improve the image of Downtown Windsor as a safe and secure place to live, invest and visit.

Round Table Discussions/Networking Opportunities

The DWBIA offers themed roundtable discussions to address issues of concern to our membership, and to obtain feedback on DWBIA initiatives. Topics identified for discussion include branding, streetscape, effective DWBIA/member communications, downtown festivals and events, patio extension opportunities, marketing co-operatives.

Educational Seminars

In response to membership requests, the DWBIA is investigating opportunities to partner with educational institutions and the business community to offer a series of educational seminars to its membership. Potential topics identified for discussion include using My Space, You-Tube and Facebook as marketing tools, using your website as a marketing tool, email as a marketing tool, effective marketing for small business owners, maximizing advertising dollars through co-operative advertising.

Co-operative Advertising/Marketing Opportunities

Join your fellow DWBIA members to maximize your advertising/ marketing dollars through co-operative ventures. The DWBIA is investigating several models for co-operative advertising, on behalf of its membership. If you are interested in this or any other co-operative advertising or marketing model, please contact the DWBIA office.

Downtown Information Centre 

Our storefront office is fully staffed, and displays brochures, pamphlets, newsletters and magazines of interest to those needing information about downtown Windsor. The Downtown Information Centre offers an inviting, accessible place to showcase everything downtown businesses have to offer. We encourage our member businesses to drop off brochures at 474 Ouellette Avenue. For further information, please call 519-252-5723.

The Downtown Mosaic

The DWBIA’s newsletter is distributed every six weeks by email to the DWBIA membership, and other interested parties. It is also available in the Downtown Information Centre, at conventions and trade shows and at our mobile kiosk.

DWBIA MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS

Fresh Fronts Façade Improvement Grant Program offers downtown member businesses an opportunity to share the cost of façade improvements to their businesses. The DWBIA program offers up to 50% reimbursement to businesses whose storefront improvements meet the Downtown Windsor Storefront Façade Guideline Manual. To obtain a copy of the manual, please contact our office.

Business Recruitment Program 

The DWBIA works with property owners to ensure that available downtown space is occupied, and that an optimum business and service mix is achieved and maintained. We pursue every opportunity to revitalize downtown Windsor by encouraging the relocation of strong, successful business to our downtown, through trade show displays, Canadian Business Starts Here brochure production and distribution and consultation with owners of desirable businesses seeking a Windsor area location;

Downtown Windsor Streetscape Initiative is a partnership between the DWBIA and the City of Windsor to invest in the beautification and enhancement of Ouellette Avenue. Phases I and II of the Ouellette Avenue streetscape will be completed in 2007. Enhancements will include customer-friendly lighting, signage, street furniture, planters, banners and sidewalk treatment. Signage Program The DWBIA is actively pursuing a way-finding signage partnership with the city, which will enable us to direct visitors, residents, and potential business owners with greater precision by means of improved way-finding signage;

Decorative Lighting Program contributes to giving Downtown Windsor a sense of place. The DWBIA installations create a positive, inviting atmosphere for potential visitors and shoppers; Seasonal Decorations create a unique and pleasant environment for customers and staff of all businesses – retail and non-retail – through the use of decorations that are appropriate to the season and holiday.

Events Promotion 

The DWBIA assists member businesses and other organizations in creating an inviting and vital atmosphere in downtown Windsor by sponsoring and/or producing events in the downtown area.

The Downtown Parking Token Program is popular with downtown businesses wishing to their patrons a 50% saving on curb-side parking. Businesses can purchase up to four rolls of Downtown Parking Tokens each month, at a cost of $5.00 per roll. (A $10 value).

Clean and Safe Program 

The DWBIA works diligently to ensure a clean, safe, attractive pedestrian environment, and to encourage our businesses, residents and visitors to respect our downtown environment. Among our many Clean and Safe initiatives are:

• The Clean Team mission is to care for our streets, and watch over the neighbourhood. Our crews can be seen cleaning and caring for the streets seven days a week. 
• Security Cameras have been installed at downtown intersections identified by police as potential trouble spots. All cameras are monitored by Elite Security, and information is shared with Windsor Police Services.
• Ash Urns have been installed at locations throughout the downtown area, in response to the Ontario Smoke Free Legislation, providing downtown smokers with a safe, clean method of disposing of cigarette butts.
• Trash Receptacles have been installed at frequent intervals in our downtown streets to assist in keeping our streets free of trash.