Peterborough DBIA

What Peterborough DBIA does

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (PTBO DBIA, also branded "The Boro") is a non-profit Business Improvement Area organization established by the City of Peterborough in 1981 under municipal by-laws. It represents approximately 400 commercial property owners and tenants within a defined downtown improvement area on the west side of the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Membership within the geographic boundaries is automatic, and the organization is funded primarily by a special levy on commercial property taxes, supplemented by associate membership fees (priced by business square footage) and donations.

The DBIA operates a portfolio of programs and services rather than selling a traditional product. Core offerings include The Boro Gift Card (a prepaid card integrated with Shopify and POS systems, generating over $100,000 in sales since launch), TheBoro.ca digital marketplace (140+ business listings, relaunched in 2025 Phase 2), and a suite of grant programs — Facade Improvement (up to $15,000 per property), Security Camera ($750), Downtown Repairs ($700 per incident), and Event Support. The organization also runs signature events including the OBIAA-recognized Mac + Cheese Festival and the Ptbo Hot Chocolate Fest, plus the Win This Space entrepreneurial contest that has launched tenants such as Tiny Greens, Ritual Apothecary, and Sustain.

The DBIA's go-to-market is direct member services plus digital marketing (TheBoro.ca, Instagram, Facebook, monthly e-newsletters) and partnership-driven tourism promotion through RTO8 and Peterborough Tourism. In April 2025, the DBIA completed a one-year pilot merger with the East City Village Business Improvement Area (VBIA), marking its first geographic expansion in 44 years and extending its mandate across the Otonabee River. The organization is governed by a board elected from member businesses, has a small staff led by Executive Director Nour Mazloum, and operates from the Venture North Building at 270 George Street N, Peterborough.

Name

Peterborough DBIA

Legal name

Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area

Website

https://ptbodbia.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area is a non-profit municipal organization representing approximately 400 downtown businesses in Peterborough, Ontario. Funded by a special property tax levy, it delivers district marketing, grant programs, signature events, and the Boro Gift Card and digital marketplace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement Area Services

NAICS

Administrative and Support Services (561)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Business improvement area
• Downtown revitalization
• Commercial grant programs
• Member business advocacy
• Community economic development

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Special Levy on Property Taxes: All businesses within the improvement area boundaries are automatically members and pay a special levy on their property taxes to support the work of the DBIA.
2. Associate Membership Fees: Fees for associate memberships are based on the square footage of the business.
3. Donations: Donations help offset program costs and allow the DBIA to enhance its programming efforts.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Peterborough DBIA is a municipally established non-profit Business Improvement Area that represents approximately 400 downtown commercial businesses. It delivers grant programs (Event Support, Downtown Repairs, Security Camera, Facade Improvement), the Boro Gift Card program, the TheBoro.ca digital marketplace/directory, member communications, business advocacy with the City, beautification initiatives, and signature events and festivals (Mac & Cheese Fest, Hot Chocolate Fest, Holiday Shopping Passport, Movie Nights in the Boro) to revitalize the downtown core.

Product overview

The Peterborough DBIA offers a portfolio of programs and services to support downtown businesses and promote the downtown core. Core offerings include The Boro Gift Card (a prepaid card usable at participating downtown businesses), The Boro Website (a digital marketplace at theboro.ca with business listings and events), and various grant programs (Event Support Grant, Downtown Repairs Grant, Security Camera Grant, and Facade Improvement Grant). Additional programs include promotional initiatives like the Holiday Shopping Passport and Holiday Window Contest, member communications, and entrepreneurial support programs like Win This Space Peterborough. The DBIA also organizes signature events including the Mac & Cheese Festival, Hot Chocolate Fest, and Movie Nights in the Boro. Services are complemented by educational walking tours for developers and investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Boro Gift Card

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $100,000 in Boro Gift Card sales
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• City of PeterboroughcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey municipal partner for downtown revitalization and development projects. The DBIA works with City on public spaces, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives.
• Peterborough TourismcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for promoting downtown as a tourism destination and visitor attraction.
• Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for business advocacy and economic development support.
• Community Futures PeterboroughmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in entrepreneurship programs including Win This Space contest.
• Innovation ClustermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting technology incubators and innovation in downtown.
• GreenUPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner for Downtown Vibrancy Project and sustainability initiatives.
• OBIAA (Ontario Business Improvement Area Association)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial association providing support and awards recognition for BIAs.
• EDCO (Economic Developers Council of Ontario)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial economic development council.
• TIAOO (Tourism Industry Association of Ontario)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial tourism industry association.
• One City PeterboroughcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing outreach worker to engage with homeless population downtown. Also partnered for social procurement program - One City Peterborough Clean Team.
• Peterborough Aids Research Network (PARN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in harm reduction training initiatives since 2019.
• Peterborough Public HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in harm reduction training and health guidelines for downtown businesses.
• Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine RidgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in harm reduction training program.
• Canadian Red CrossmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing harm reduction training including Narcan and de-escalation sessions.
• Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial tourism organization funding TheBoro.ca Phase 2 development through Partnership Allocation Program. Also runs Trent-Severn Trail Town program.
• Clint's Property MaintenancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in social procurement program - One City Peterborough Clean Team.
• Shorelines CasinomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Love for the Boro Art Program including painted flowerpots. Partner in Win This Space contest.
• Peterborough Regional Farmers MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner/supporter for Love for the Boro Art Program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Downtown Association: US-based industry association supporting downtown districts and BIAs across North America. Functions as both an industry convener and best-practice resource comparable to OBIAA in the DBIA's ecosystem.
• National Main Street Center: US-based organization operating the Main Street Approach to commercial district revitalization through a four-point program (organization, promotion, design, economic vitality). The DBIA's mandate and programs directly mirror this framework.
• Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA): Provincial association representing Ontario BIAs and awarding the DBIA for its work. Functions as a peer through the same municipal/BIA institutional framework rather than as a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area: Toronto-based Business Improvement Area representing downtown Yonge Street businesses through similar levy-funded programming, marketing, and beautification initiatives. Highly comparable in mandate and revenue model.
• Ottawa Business Improvement Area (Bank Street BIA): Ottawa-based BIA serving a defined downtown commercial district with member-funded programming and events. Operates under the same Ontario BIA municipal framework as the Peterborough DBIA.

Regional players

• Hamilton Downtown BIA: BIA serving downtown Hamilton businesses under the same Ontario BIA framework. Operates comparable member-funded programs and events, though in a separate Ontario market rather than directly competing in Peterborough.

Emerging players

• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA / Local First): Network organization supporting local independent business coalitions and Buy Local movements. Comparable in mission to promote and advocate for independent downtown businesses, though operating through voluntary membership rather than property tax levies.

Others

• Canadian Urban Institute: Toronto-based institute focused on urban development, policy, and downtown economic revitalization. Adjacent enabling organization whose research and advocacy work supports similar downtown outcomes to the DBIA's mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theboropeterborough
• Instagraminstagram.com/theboroptbo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ptbodbia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Peterborough DBIA