Think of this newsletter as your one-stop-shop for news and opportunities impacting your business.
2022 Construction Dollars
Londoners can receive Core Area Construction Dollars from the Downtown London Business Association and Old East Village BIA, as well as participating businesses, through contests, giveaways, events and promotions.
Construction Dollars are coupons in $5, $10 and $20-dollar amounts that can be redeemed at participating businesses in the core area. Businesses are reimbursed 100 percent of the value of each Construction Dollar through the Core Area Action Plan. Valid Construction Dollars are marked with the year “2022” and can be spent between now and November 30, 2022.
How can businesses and customers get Construction Dollars? Construction Dollars cannot be purchased and are distributed by the Downtown London Business Association, Old East Village BIA and their merchants. Londoners are encouraged to follow the Old East Village BIA and Downtown London Business Association on social media for opportunities to win construction dollars.
If you are interested in receiving 2022 Construction Dollars for your own promotions and contests, please reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca.
Propel: Moving Business Forward
The London Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with The Achievement Centre, has launched Propel:Moving Business Forward, a series of free workshops and
coaching for small and medium sized businesses to promote economic recovery. The programming, which will allow up to 50 businesses to participate, will help businesses that were negatively impacted by the pandemic. It is designed to support businesses in the hardest hit sectors and help them move forward and thrive.
The deadline to apply is July 31st, 2022.
Centre Stage:
Patio Improvement Documentary Pitch
As part of the London Community Recovery Network, local businesses throughout the city will have an opportunity to improve and revitalize their patio areas. These new spaces will each include amenities that support live musical performances, simultaneously encouraging a return to safe in-person gatherings, increasing business capacity, and ushering a revival of live music in London. We want to capture this story, and we need your help to do it.
Based on the application criteria below, we’ll be selecting a London based videographer/filmmaker to create a 10 minute documentary or series of short documentaries that capture the transformation of these spaces, and tells a story of post-covid recovery for businesses and musicians in London. The successful candidate will receive $15,000 to be used towards the production of the project.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AUGUST 1st, 11:59pm
Eligible applicants must:
- Be London based
- Be available to work on the project between Aug – Nov 2022
- Provide a demo reel/other examples of past projects
- Be able to provide their own crew/equipment
- Be able to provide their own insurance
- Be willing to meet/interview with our selection committee if requested
- Meet the remaining criteria outlined in the application form (link below)
We need your feedback!
London Downtown Business Association Annual Survey!
We are pleased to announce the launching of LDBA Members’ Annual Survey. We want to hear from as many of our members as possible because your feedback is important to us!
Why this survey is important to you:
Your feedback helps us understand what programs and services are important to you and your business. This input will help guide London Downtown Business Association’s 2023 work plan and budget.
Understand what is working and not working for our members based on the 2021/2022 programs London Downtown Business Association has delivered to continuously improve them.
What is the most effective and efficient way to share communications with our 1400+ members on new programs, opportunities and updates to help grow your business and bottomline. Please note that the individual answers and responses that members provide, whether that be provided electronically will not be shared publicly and will remain CONFIDENTIAL and used only to tabulate the collection of results. Any results shared publicly will be done so in aggregate.
This survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about the survey or would like to talk to a team member, please reach out to Hailey at members@downtownlondon.ca.
We thank everyone for taking the time to complete this survey and appreciate your feedback!
City-Wide Seasonal Outdoor Patios Zoning Bylaw Regulations
What is Proposed?
Zoning amendment to allow:
• Amendments to Zoning Bylaw Z.-1, Section 4.18(6) to remove capacity restrictions for Outdoor Seasonal Patios associated with a restaurant or tavern
• To amend date restrictions for the removal of seasonal outdoor patios
• To remove capacity restrictions for seasonal outdoor patios
• To reiterate that Seasonal Patio areas cannot be located within designated parking spaces (accessible parking spaces)
You are invited!
A public meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee to be held on Monday, August 22nd , 2022, no earlier than 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: The Planning and Environment Committee Meetings are hosted in City Hall, Council Chambers; virtual participation is also available, please see City of London website for details.
For more information, contact:
Mark Hefferton MURP,RPP,MCIP
mheffert@london.ca
Property Damage Grant 2022
The LDBA is offering businesses a one time grant to help members with costs incurred to maintain business facade safety and security features. Costs associated with front facade repairs since January 1, 2022 will be eligible to apply to receive up to a maximum grant of $1,250. This grant will be available until December 1, 2022 or until supplies last.
For questions regarding eligibility and application process, please reach out to Hailey at members@downtownlondon.ca or Vicki at vicki@downtownlondon.ca for further information.
Join Your Fellow Cyclists –
Try the Downtown Bike Lockers!
The City offers secure bike lockers in three locations downtown to support shoppers, diners and visitors biking to the core. The first two hours of bike parking are FREE!
Monthly rentals are also available. Email cycling@london.ca for availability.
Provincial and Federal Tax Credit Programs
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across the province that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019. It is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for corporations that invest more than $50,000 to construct, renovate or acquire eligible commercial and industrial buildings in these regions. The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit will:
- Help address regional disparities by bringing greater opportunities and prosperity to businesses, workers and families in these communities
- Help attract investments, boost growth and create jobs by supporting businesses, including those that are recovering from COVID‑19, to expand and grow
To learn more information about this program, check out the resources below.
Core Area Safety Audit Grant Program
The City of London has released the new Core Area Safety Audit Grant. This program is focused on assisting property owners and tenants with making safety improvements to their building — including exterior lighting, exterior security cameras, and storefront gates to close front entrance alcoves and recessed entryways when the ground floor business is closed, or the building is vacant.
The Core Area Safety Audit Grant Program helps cover a portion of the cost for making safety improvements to property. The one-time grant will cover 50% of the cost of the improvements — up to a maximum of $10,000.
Reach out to CIPincentives@london.ca to learn more about accessing this financial opportunity
Downtown Dollar Gift Cards
Downtown Dollars encourage local spending and are a great gift for the “tough to shop for” people in your life. Sign up here to receive Downtown Dollar Gift Cards as a method of payment from customers. Reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca for gift card set up and assistance!
Financial Assistance
Click here for information grants and loans available to small businesses.