There are nine business improvement associations in Windsor. However, they don't all work together or toward a common goal.

Last year, for example, the downtown BIA and Sandwich BIA each hosted a Santa Claus Parade.

Business improvement associations are business organizations competing for the same customers and money, CBC Windsor's municipal affairs columnist Cheryl Collier said. They're not formed to work together, she said.

"It naturally creates competition. It's not responsible to the city. It's responsible to its membership," Collier said of a BIA.

Making it more difficult to get BIAs to work together in Windsor is the fact a city councillor normally sits on the board of each BIA — and those BIAs are in the councillor's ward.

Even individual BIAs have their own difficulties. Associations have to address the interests of all their members.

The downtown association, for example, has to address high-end restaurants, massage parlours and retail outlets.

Collier said a lack of co-ordination could be hindering everyone.

Cheryl Collier is a professor of political science at the University of Windsor. She can be be heard on the Early Shift with Tony Doucette at 8:14 a.m. on Mondays. Tune in to 97.5 FM or listen live online at www.cbc.ca/windsor.

To hear Monday's piece, click on the audio box above.