The Red Deer’s Downtown Business Association’s 2025 budget was approved by City Council at their regular meeting today. During the presentation, DBA Executive Director, Amanda Gould outlined the organization’s plans for the upcoming year to support businesses within the Business Improvement Area (BIA).
The DBA Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the Business Improvement Area (BIA), including preparation and administration of its budget. Although the board operates autonomously, The City of Red Deer has several connections:
- Council appoints the board and has a member on the board.
- City administration assigns a liaison to the DBA to ensure we collaborate on initiatives, address opportunities, and leverage resources.
- City Council approves the DBA budget, as per Municipal Governance Act (MGA) requirements.
- The City of Red Deer collects the BIA levy on behalf of the DBA to fund its budget.
When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and The City’s community priorities.
"Downtown belongs to the entire city—it’s the heart of our community and a cornerstone of our economic future,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “Together, we all have a role in ensuring its success. The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is a vital partner in this effort, providing services, subsidies, and innovative programs to support our local businesses while creating a vibrant destination that attracts both residents and visitors."
The DBA’s total approved budget for 2025 is $297,000, with $19,275 funded through the BIA levy and the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2025 is an increase of seven per cent from 2024.
Following approval of this budget, an amendment to the BIA Business Tax Bylaw will come forward to Council at a future meeting.
The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 40 years, serving approximately business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.