The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is a coalition of over 125 businesses and property owners working to promote the business and civic activity in downtown Bismarck. The DBA promotes and supports aesthetic and environmental enhancement programs throughout the downtown area, sponsors special events, provides cooperate marketing support for members and acts as an advocate to the City of Bismarck.

In 1906 a group was formed known as the Bismarck Commercial Club. In 1923, the name changed to the Bismarck Association of Commerce and in 1954, they became known as the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce, which is now the current day Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce. At that time, all businesses were located in downtown Bismarck.

Suburban malls entered the scene in the early 70s and the Chamber was committed to serving the entire community. The downtown businesses recognized the importance of having their own organization and formed the Bismarck Downtown Business and Profession Association, more commonly known as the “Downtowners.”

In 1985 the association filed and became incorporated as a 501c(6). Originally, the Downtowners consisted mainly of retailers. As more professional and service businesses moved into downtown, they too joined. The membership now includes retail, financial, medical, art, restaurants, attorneys and other services.

Now known as the Downtown Business Association, it is represented and governed by a board of directors and an executive director.

Our Board and Committee Meetings are open to the public. Below is a summary of the meeting schedules:

Board of Directors
Responsible for the governance, direction, policies, budgets, and positions of the Downtown Business Association. Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8:00am. KFYR-TV Main Floor Boardroom.

Ambassador/Membership
The focus of the Ambassador/Membership committee is to serve as the public relations arm of the DBA. This committee will conduct how’s business calls, make welcome to the neighborhood visits, provide information to potential members about the benefits of membership and generally talk up downtown. This committee may also create downtown mixers for the benefit of the membership.

Betterment
The focus of the Betterment committee will be to enhance the physical appearance of the downtown by advocating for the rehabilitation of historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, and following through on the goals and recommendations of the CORE program. Streetscape and Maintenance Improvement District will fall under the portfolio of this committee.

Events
The focus of the Events committee is to help coordinate and develop strategies for the successful enhancement and promotion of Street Fair and the Lights on Broadway Parade as well as create and implement new events to draw the community to downtown. The goal would be to have one large event each quarter.

Marketing
The focus of the Marketing committee will be to successfully promote downtown’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors. This committee will also have hands-on experience with the re-development of the DBA web site and will work to promote the association as well as downtown as a whole.

Parking
The focus of the Parking committee will be to build consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals that have a role in the parking process. This group will work to evaluate parking availability, create strategies for solutions and implement plans for change.

Retail/Merchant
The focus of the Retail/Merchant committee will be to create a venue for the special needs of this population to be addressed.