2026 Funding
Funding received from the City of London at the end of 2023 continues to support a series of BIA-funded programs designed to assist Old East Village business and property owners. The following grant programs are currently available:
Private Property Clean-Up Program
The Old East Village BIA Private Property Clean-Up Program is an ongoing initiative intended to support active, street-level businesses that contribute to the economic vitality and pedestrian activity of the district.
The intent of this program is to prioritize businesses that directly contribute to street-level vibrancy and customer activity, while maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming public environment throughout the Old East Village.
This program is available to business and commercial property owners operating within the Old East Village BIA boundary whose premises function as active economic drivers. Eligible applicants must be levy-paying members in good standing with the BIA.
Businesses must operate from a ground-floor commercial unit with a visible storefront that is open to the public and contributes to regular pedestrian activity.
Examples of eligible businesses include retail stores, restaurants, cafés, financial service providers, and arts and cultural venues.
The following are not eligible for this program:
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Vacant properties or units not currently in operation
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Businesses that are not open to the public or do not maintain regular posted hours
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Private offices, administrative spaces, or service providers that do not generate walk-in traffic
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Upper-floor or non-street-facing operations without a direct storefront presence
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Associate Participant members
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Businesses or property owners who are not levy-paying members in good standing
The program is intended to address general cleanliness and minor exterior maintenance issues affecting publicly visible, street-facing areas of eligible properties.
Eligible work may include, but is not limited to:
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Litter and debris clean-up
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Pressure washing of storefronts, sidewalks (adjacent to the property), and building façades
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General exterior surface cleaning to improve overall appearance
Interior work and areas not visible from the public right-of-way are not eligible under this program. To confirm eligibility and submit a request, click the link below.
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.
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.
Signage Improvement Grant
The Old East Village BIA Signage Improvement Grant Program is an ongoing initiative intended to support active, street-level businesses that contribute to the economic vitality and pedestrian activity of the district.
The intent of this program is to enhance the visual appeal of the district by supporting high-quality, well-designed signage that improves storefront visibility and contributes to a vibrant and welcoming streetscape.
This program is available to business and commercial property owners operating within the Old East Village BIA boundary whose premises function as active economic drivers. Eligible applicants must be levy-paying members in good standing with the BIA.
Businesses must operate from a ground-floor commercial unit with a visible storefront that is open to the public and contributes to regular pedestrian activity.
Examples of eligible businesses include retail stores, restaurants, cafés, financial service providers, and arts and cultural venues.
The following are not eligible for this program:
-
Vacant properties or units not currently in operation
-
Businesses that are not open to the public or do not maintain regular posted hours
-
Private offices, administrative spaces, or service providers that do not generate walk-in traffic
-
Upper-floor or non-street-facing operations without a direct storefront presence
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Any project that has already started or been completed prior to receiving written approval from the BIA
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Businesses or property owners who are not levy-paying members in good standing
To confirm eligibility and submit a request, click the link below.
Storefront Window Repair and Replacement Grant
The Old East Village BIA Storefront Window Repair and Replacement Grant is an ongoing program intended to support active, street-level businesses that contribute to the economic vitality and pedestrian activity of the district.
The intent of this program is to prioritize businesses that directly contribute to street-level vibrancy and customer activity within the district.
This program is available to business and commercial property owners operating within the Old East Village BIA boundary whose premises function as active economic drivers.
Eligible applicants must be levy-paying members in good standing with the BIA.
Businesses must operate from a ground-floor commercial unit with a visible storefront that is open to the public and encourages regular foot traffic.
Examples of eligible businesses include retail stores, restaurants, cafés, financial service providers, and arts and cultural venues.
The following are not eligible for this program:
-
Vacant properties or units not currently in operation
-
Businesses that are not open to the public or do not maintain regular posted hours
-
Private offices, administrative spaces, or service providers that do not generate walk-in traffic
-
Upper-floor or non-street-facing operations without a direct storefront presence
-
Any project that has already started or been completed prior to receiving written approval from the BIA
-
Businesses or property owners who are not levy-paying members in good standing
To confirm eligibility and submit a request, click the link below.
Graffiti Removal Grant
The Old East Village BIA Graffiti Removal Grant is an ongoing program intended to support active, street-level businesses that contribute to the economic vitality and pedestrian activity of the district.
The intent of this program is to prioritize businesses that directly contribute to street-level vibrancy and customer activity within the district, while helping to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming public environment.
This program is available to business and commercial property owners operating within the Old East Village BIA boundary whose premises function as active economic drivers. Eligible applicants must be levy-paying members in good standing with the BIA.
Businesses must operate from a ground-floor commercial unit with a visible storefront that is open to the public and contributes to regular pedestrian activity.
Examples of eligible businesses include retail stores, restaurants, cafés, financial service providers, and arts and cultural venues.
The following are not eligible for this program:
-
Vacant properties or units not currently in operation
-
Businesses that are not open to the public or do not maintain regular posted hours
-
Private offices, administrative spaces, or service providers that do not generate walk-in traffic
-
Upper-floor or non-street-facing operations without a direct storefront presence
-
Associate Participant members
-
Businesses or property owners who are not levy-paying members in good standing
The program is intended to address graffiti removal and vandalism-related damage affecting publicly visible, street-facing exterior surfaces only, including storefronts, doors, windows, and building façades.
Interior damage or areas not visible from the public right-of-way are not eligible. To confirm eligibility and submit a request, click the link below.