Retail districts get $400,00 boost

Four London retail districts receive $100,000 each to support business revitalization

Photo: The Old East Village retail corridor

FOUR DOWNTON RETAIL districts ― Dundas Street downtown, Hamilton Road, Old East Village and Richmond Row ― have been announced as recipients of My Main Street funding — a $23.25 million investment by the Government of Canada and delivered in partnership by the Canadian Urban Institute and the Economic Development Council of Ontario to support the revitalization of 200 neighbourhoods across Southern Ontario.

Each district will receive $100,000, which will be further divided into grants of $10,000 given to new and existing businesses.

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That process will be administered by the London Small Business Centre (SBC), which is in the process of hiring a “business ambassador” to manage and guide supports and resources offered by My Main Street, the London Small Business Centre and other community partners.

The SBC took the lead on applying for My Main Street funding, backed by a city investment of $57,500 to support the initiative, which was part of a $10-million fund earmarked for pandemic recovery efforts.

“We are delighted to bring this program to London and excited to be working with the Business Improvement Area organizations in these districts to complement their ongoing economic recovery efforts,” says SBC executive director, Steve Pellarin. “The revitalization of these streets will contribute to the overall economic development of our community.”

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An additional 10 London organizations, including the London Arts Council and various city BIAs, will receive federal and provincial funding through a separate Main Street funding supporting individual projects or events.