2024 Funding
This year, the Old East Village BIA received funding from the City of London to support area businesses. Programs will be rolled out throughout the year. OEV business/property owners are invited to email info@oldeastvillage.com to hear about new funding opportunities first.
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Jump to each program:​
FEATURED PARTNER EVENTS
El Sistema Aeolian June Concert @ Aeolian Hall: June 12
El Sistema Aeolian provides an opportunity for children, youth and their communities to experience a free, intensive, innovative and accessible after school music program. With expert instruction and a nurturing, safe and inclusive environment, participants can develop their full social and musical potential.
Inputs @ Dough EV: June 20
Inputs is a monthly event where people are invited to a location and encouraged to bring music to share via vinyl, cd, tape, and/or streaming suggestions.
Inputs started in a house in 2023 with the hope of building community through music while providing a place where people can explore many different genres.
Gears 9 @ Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op: June 28
GEARS IS HERE!! Make sure you catch the next installment of this amazing concert series!
For those who don't know what Gears is, it's a concert series that brings together local communities and bands at Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op, located right in the heart of Old East Village.
PAST EVENTS
Adult Trivia Night @ The Mockingbird: April 2
The Odd Couple @ The Palace Theatre: April 3-13
Gears 7 @ Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op: April 12
Inputs @ Dough EV: April 25
Spring Potter's Market @ TVDSB Building: April 26-27
Adult Trivia Night @ The Mockingbird: May 1
Grace 2 @ The Aeolian: May 2
Harvey @ The Palace Theatre: May 1 - 11
Gears 8 @ Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op: May 10
Trivia Night @ The Palace Theatre: May 14
Inputs @ DoughEV: May 23
Super Spicy Trivia @ The Mockingbird: June 5
El Sistema Aeolian June Concert @ Aeolian Hall: June 12
Clean Crew Program
The OEV BIA's Clean Crew handles cleanliness concerns on occupied private business and residential properties within the Old East Village BIA district. Vacant properties or buildings are not eligible for Clean Crew services. The City of London is responsible for cleaning all public property within the Old East Village core area.
This BIA initiative is designed to support active business owners, landlords with occupied units, and residential tenants in maintaining cleanliness on their private properties within the OEV BIA boundaries.
For issues that arise, please contact the BIA at 519-645-7662 or submit this form to request cleaning and/or refuse removal. The Clean Crew will respond within 1 business day to assess and address issues including garbage/debris removal, sharps, graffiti, and animal/human excrement. The team also patrols Dundas Street from Adelaide to Charlotte on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to monitor and clean key areas.
Clean Crew services are available exclusively to business owners, property owners with occupied units, and residential tenants within the OEV BIA district (view the boundary map here). If you’re unsure whether you qualify, please contact our office.
Requesting Services:
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Phone calls are accepted at our BIA office Monday-Friday between 8:30am-11am, or complete and submit this form.
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The BIA office will confirm your location, issue, and contact information before assigning the request to the clean crew
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The Clean Crew will be dispatched to address the concern within 1 business day.
Safety & Security Grant
Safety & Security Grant Update
The Old East Village BIA’s Safety & Security Grant is currently on hold. However, we are
happy to assist BIA members in exploring alternative grant opportunities through the City of
London.
For those looking to implement or upgrade safety and security measures for their property or
business, the following program is available:
Core Area Safety Audit Program
This program provides financial support to business owners making safety-related improvements
to private property. Funding is subject to availability and application approval and cannot be
applied retroactively.
Grant Details:
✔ Covers up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $10,000 per property.
Eligible Improvements:
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Exterior lighting
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Storefront gates
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Landscaping
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Exterior security cameras
For more information, contact:
Asrin Eiveri
Policy & Program Analyst, Community Improvement & Urban Regeneration
Planning and Development
City of London
P: 519.661.CITY(2489) x 4735
aeiveri@london.ca
Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant
This new initiative provides up to $50,000 per project, covering 50% of renovation costs to transform vacant commercial spaces into active businesses. Initially proposed for Downtown and Richmond Row, the program has been expanded to include Midtown and Old East Village following community feedback. With a total budget of $975,000, the program aims to support approximately 15–25 projects annually through 2027.
Eligibility criteria:
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The application must be approved before any work begins.
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The business must fall under a targeted commercial use as listed in the program guidelines.
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City staff will conduct site visits both before and after the improvements to verify that work has been completed.
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The term of the lease must be a minimum of two years (if the business owner is a tenant).
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The property must be located within the Core Area Community Improvement Project Area excluding any property owned or leased by the City or City agencies, boards, or commissions.
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Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Please contact City staff to confirm your eligibility.
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For more detailed information, including application forms and maps of eligible areas, visit the City of London's Community Improvement and Incentives page here or contact the City’s CIP Incentives team at CIPincentives@london.ca.
Sign Grant
The Old East Village BIA's new program offers funding to assist OEV BIA members with costs incurred while purchasing and installing new permanent signs to commercial storefronts. This funding can also be applied to the repair/replacement of existing signs.
This grant is available to business and property owners conducting current active business operations within our district (view the boundary map here). Vacant properties and inactive businesses do not qualify for this program.
To avoid delays, it is highly recommended that you secure a sign permit from the City of London before applying for funding. Once the application is completed and submitted, the BIA office will contact you to confirm and review the information provided. A site visit will be scheduled to take photos before any work proceeds. Applicants must provide a draft sketch of the sign and a quote from a licensed contractor at the time of the site visit.
Approved candidates are eligible to receive up to $1000 for initial costs incurred. The remaining project costs are eligible for up to 50% reimbursement, to a maximum of $2000. No funds will be disbursed until the sign is completed and installed, copies of project invoices are submitted, and a final site visit occurs to take photos of the completed work.
Funding is limited and approvals will be given on a first-come basis.
ELIGIBILITY:
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Applicant must be an OEV BIA member conducting active business in the district.
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Each business location is only eligible to receive one grant.
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Property tax and OEV BIA levy payments must be up-to-date.
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Proposed sign must be street-facing onto Dundas.
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Ineligible signage includes window banners, roof signs, and ground-mounted signs.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Applicant must obtain and provide written permission from both the property owner and the business owner consenting to the improvement.
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Applicant must include a draft sketch of the proposed sign and a cost estimate with the application.
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Grant application must be approved prior to purchase, installation, or display of the sign.
Window Grant
This one-time grant is available to business and property owners actively operating within the Old East Village BIA district (view the boundary map here). Vacant properties, non-active businesses, and projects started before application approval are not eligible for this program.
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After submitting your completed application, our office will contact you to confirm and review the information provided. A site visit will then be scheduled to review the funding criteria and take pre-work photos.
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Approved applicants are eligible to receive up to $1,500 to cover costs associated with repairing or replacing a storefront window or glass door damaged by vandalism or criminal acts, such as break-and-enter incidents.
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The Old East Village BIA has agreements with local suppliers to cover project invoices up to $1,500, which will be paid directly to the supplier. Any costs exceeding this amount must be covered by the business or property owner.​
ELIGIBILITY:
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Applicant must be an OEV BIA member conducting active business in the district.
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Each business location is only eligible to receive one grant.
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Property tax and OEV BIA levy payments must be up-to-date.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Applicant must obtain and provide written permission from both the property owner and the business owner consenting to the improvement
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Grant application must be approved before any work begins.