Bids

The BIDs sustainable financial model is not restricted to towns and cities but can be developed whereever a group of businesses wish to work together and invest collectively in improvements to their business environment.

Normally a partnership with the local authority, a rural BID is also likely to be a partnership with the local Development Trust, Heritage Trust or Community Council or any other local group which either has the same objectives as the BID businesses or there is a need to jointly finance a local project co ordinator.

Whilst common projects for BIDs relate to access issues (public transport), safety and security, cleansing and marketing and promotion, rural projects could also include renewable energy, local employment, workshops and arts centres, public sector asset transfer and the delivery of local services.

Whilst it is likely that a rural BID would need to partner with another area or areas to secure the finance to deliver a sustainable model and each area would be delivering projects and services identified by the local business community, there would be opportunities for all areas to contribute to an overarching project such as a tourism and visitor strategy or renewable energy.

A rural BID can contribute to,

• the growth of sustaiinable businesses in rural areas
• broadening and strengthening the rural economy
• improving the accessibility and quality of public and commercial services that local people and businesses depend on
• help to build resilient sustainable rural communities 

Business Improvement Districts Scotland is already working with small towns (of less than 5000 population) and would welcome enquiries from other towns or groups of settlements wishing to pilot a rural BID.