Positioning your commercial area for the future begins with a physical "exam"––an objective, thorough evaluation of existing conditions and the factors affecting them. What are your commercial area's physical strengths and weaknesses––infrastructure, building stock, public improvements? What are the economic and demographic trends affecting it nationally, regionally and locally? What is its retail mix and trade area? Are current codes too restrictive or lenient?

BDI's situation audit will help you assess your area's economic, physical, organizational and programmatic assets, sometimes for the first time. It will help you determine target recruitment and retention goals for businesses and the roles local organizations and community leaders should play in improvement efforts. Finally, BDI's situation audit will help you refine and articulate your commercial area goals on the basis of the valuable in vivo picture it yields.