This policy level group needs to be supported by a competent and experienced staff who's only responsibility is managing the downtown improvement strategy and implementing the downtown revitalization plan. At present more than 1,200 BIDs have been formed, most during the past 15 years. Even small districts with only a small supermarket and a few blocks of stores have formed BlDs, whereby the City authorizes a stakeholder group to manage services, and mandates a property assessment to assure that all properties contribute their fair share. Without the business talent and financial resources available through BIDs and the private sector commitment that this represents, city governments alone can do little in these areas that will produce actual economic improvement. Business Improvement Districts provide an institutional and financial base for meeting several needs of modern downtown areas.
Many BIDs organize cooperative advertising campaigns among businesses in a single location.
Whether using direct mail, door delivery, or media purchase, the unit costs to participating businesses is substantially reduced and the quality of advertising increased through such joint ventures. BIDs often consider how best to establish a fresh, recognizable identity for their location, reflecting the intended new direction for the business area. A logo is created, banners hung, parking directional signs installed, a slogan adopted, and other image-making techniques implemented. The BID can provide maintenance, such as collecting rubbish, removing litter and graffiti, washing sidewalks, shoveling snow, cutting grass, trimming trees, and planting flowers in public places. Security and hospitality needs can be met by hiring uniformed security and street guides or ambassadors, buying and installing electronic security equipment or special police equipment, and staffing sidewalk tourism kiosks.