The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is reinforcing its commitment to supporting and advocating for Red Deer's downtown business community as discussions continue around the future of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) and its governance.
In a statement released April 24, the DBA acknowledged the recent conversations regarding the organization's structure and funding model, while emphasizing its long-standing role in enhancing downtown vibrancy and serving local businesses.
“For over 40 years, the DBA has worked tirelessly under a funding model structured around a levy imposed on businesses within the BIA,” the association stated. “While this approach may have been effective in the past, it no longer serves the modern needs of the downtown economy.”
The DBA Board and CEO say that the BIA’s current boundaries don’t reflect the full scope of business activity in Red Deer’s downtown, pointing to areas such as Capstone and Railyards that also contribute significantly to the city’s urban core.
Through beautification projects, events, placemaking initiatives and business advocacy, the DBA has continued to support local enterprises—even as demands on the organization have grown beyond its original scope and resources.
Push for sustainable change
Since 2022, the DBA leadership has led an advocacy campaign aimed at reshaping how downtown is governed and funded. The association has pushed for three core changes:
- Evolving the funding model to meet current downtown needs
- Balancing the growth of Capstone with investment in the greater downtown area
- Ensuring businesses outside current BIA boundaries receive support
In 2024, Red Deer City Council voted unanimously to explore new governance options for the downtown. In early 2025, Council further supported a motion to review the possible disestablishment of the BIA and investigate alternative funding models.
“This is not a setback, it’s an opportunity,” the DBA stated. “An opportunity for growth, sustainability, and a governance model that reflects the realities and ambitions of Red Deer’s downtown business community.”
The DBA confirmed it will continue to communicate with stakeholders as these conversations evolve, promising transparency and collaboration moving forward.
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