Mayor welcomes economic boost for town centres

Mayor Len Brown has welcomed a new Auckland Council policy to assist local business associations, saying it will boost the economic growth of town centres and business precincts across Auckland.

The new policy confirms council support for business improvement districts (BIDs).

"This signals we're serious about building our local townships and getting funding behind them, whether their business associations are just starting or wanting to grow," says Len Brown.

BIDs are funded by targeted rates applied to commercial properties in a defined geographic area. The council collects the funds on behalf of businesses that use them to improve the business environment and promote business growth.

"We rightly focus a lot on having a successful city centre but we've got 187 villages and towns in the region and I'd like to see a BID programme operating in every one of them," said the mayor.

The new policy - which will be reviewed in two years - will look at supporting the establishment of new BIDs, exploring proposed BID boundary expansions and delivering targeted business development projects

Heart of the City is currently one of 46 BIDs operating in the Auckland region, representing over 25,000 businesses. Up to 25 new BIDs could be established within the next 10 years, while 16 BIDs wish to expand their boundaries.