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Independent Community & Business Improvement Group
“Supporting the Community That Supports You.”
A Thriving Community Starts with Strong Connections
Old Ottawa South is a vibrant neighborhood with a rich history, engaged residents, and a diverse mix of local businesses. As cities grow and evolve, maintaining strong ties between residents, businesses and the community groups is essential for long-term sustainability and resilience.
Founded on a simple idea - Lets Talk to create a distinct, independent business and community network that fosters collaboration, strengthens local connections, and supports neighborhood-driven projects. This structure is designed to enrich both the business, local economy and the community spirit.
Our Story :
A Grassroots Vision for Community Collaboration
It started in early 2024 with a simple act of cleaning up the street. During a routine garden tidy-up on Bank Street, a local volunteer was approached by a couple curious about the work. They explained that they were helping with a city-run cleanup program, providing supplies and encouraging others to join in.
Inspired by the effort, the couple jumped in, suggesting, “Let’s split up the street and tackle the whole thing together.”
As they worked, the conversation turned to something bigger—how to foster stronger collaboration between businesses and the community. The volunteer shared that past attempts to create a formal business association had struggled under city regulations. But what if there was another way? A more organic approach, where businesses and community groups residents could connect, support each other, and shape their own framework for collaboration?
That conversation sparked something new. Another voice emerged—a person with a deep desire to strengthen community engagement, bringing forward the idea of Ask Your Citizens First. The belief was simple but powerful: real change comes when the people most affected by decisions are at the heart of shaping them.
Over breakfast meetings in the months that followed, ideas took shape. What started as a street cleanup evolved into a movement. By the end of 2024, it had grown into iBCIA then iCBIG —a community-driven initiative focused on building connections and fostering collaboration without the constraints of a traditional business association.
This grassroots effort continues to grow, proving that collaboration doesn’t have to come from the top down—it can start with a simple conversation, a willingness to take action, and a commitment to listening to the community first.
A thriving community that's built on the foundation of independent individuals, their unique capacities, energy, and passions
Supporters
Brian
Rocket Launcher Guide
Guy
Coordinator
Entrepreneur Doer
Menna
Architecture Action Catalyst
Jake
Community Engagement - Maestro
Sina
Wish Linker
Mike Tait
All things Tennis & More!
Kathy K.
Active Resident
Anna
Community Connector for Seniors
Huy D
Carleton U action Lab
-Mapping, Reaserch community engagement - Accessibility
Erik V
Business Beat Opinions
Gary H
A Tennis specialist Entrepreneur
Hamza B
IT & Data driven Architect
BUSINESSES
Opal Wellness Compounding Pharmacy
Prima Grocery - Ottawa South Groceteria
Strand Shawarma & Café
Happy Goat Coffee Co.
Performance Tennis
Bonds Decor
GROUPS
Carleton Universaty Architectural research lab committed to anti-racist, anti-colonial and anti-capitalist activism in architecture. Within this framework, we are committed to supporting your community organizing with urban research, grant writing, and built interventions when needed.
Southminster United Church
Since 1932... "a caring community that brings people together to explore faith and express it in action."
Ottawa Public Library - Sunnyside
This well-loved branch is located on a busy stretch of Bank Street in the heart of a very active and community-spirited residential area. Overlooking the Rideau Canal, it features a lovely flower garden in the summer and easy access to skating in the winter. The busy children's department features a full range of programs.
Whether you're a local business owner, a community leader, or a resident, there's a role for you.
Join and help build a stronger, more connected Old Ottawa South!
Also INSPIRED By
The associations that champion local businesses—those whose goods and services reflect the needs and character of the community, building local power and pushing back against corporate control.
BWA engage landlords strategically—through policy, advocacy, and alignment around stability.
WEall Can
What is a well-being economy?
A well-being economy is an economy designed with a different purpose than the growth at all costs we’ve come to accept. A well-being economy puts your quality of life and the health of the natural world first.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Building Local Power. Fighting Corporate Control.
We believe that democracy can only thrive when economic and political power is widely dispersed. ILSR works to achieve this vision through four key initiatives that center local communities, giving citizens the authority, capacity, and responsibility to exercise power over their lives.
Questions & Answers
Who is this for?
Who? iCBIG (Independent Community & Business Improvement Group) brings together Everyone in Old Ottawa South - People who live and work here. Businesses, Community groups, Institutions, Students, Seniors, Clubs, Landlords.
If you care about the community, you’re invited to participate.
What kinds of improvements could this bring to Old Ottawa South?
Boost visibility for local businesses
Support community-led ideas and initiatives
Make it easier to connect with neighbours and local groups
Encourage new uses for public space (e.g., a “tiny park” or hangout zone)
Keep more local dollars, energy, and talent in the neighbourhood
What is this initiative about?
What? iCBIG is to serve as a neighborhood Hub that makes it Easy for people and groups to coordinate and work together to improve Old Ottawa South.
Neighbourhood directory - share information, resources, talent and stories.
Facilitate community-led ideas, initiatives and projects - Project Action Labs
Think local First - Keep local dollars, and talent in the neighbourhood
Strengthen the neighborhood identity
Encourage new uses - Public space, pop ups, tiny parks & third spaces etc.
Think of it as a Community Bridge and Project Action Hub for Old Ottawa South
Why is a new group or association needed?
Many great efforts already exist, but they’re scattered or hard to find. This group can help tie things together—offering tools like a shared website, directories, and “Neighbourhood Links” so people can more easily engage and support local life.
“To get people out of their silos and talk to each other, share ideas, so we can do it ourselves.
Make it easy to:
Support neighborhood initiatives
Strengthen the local economy - Think local first
Respond collectively to change and development pressures
Build a shared neighborhood identity
When local businesses, residents, and community groups connect and coordinate, small ideas can turn into shared neighborhood improvements that benefit everyone.
What’s missing in the community today?
Fill the ✏️Surveys & Feedback we would like your input
How is this different from a BIA or community association?
This group is more than businesses it makes it easier for people to find partners, share resources, support local initiatives, and strengthen the resilience of the community together.
Independent — locally led and flexible
Inclusive — open to All residents, businesses, community groups and institutions
Grassroots — built from the ground up, based on shared local values
It complements existing organizations while filling gaps in connection and communication.
What tools or spaces could this group support?
We’re starting with:
Directories of businesses and groups clubs ...
A website (prototype underway)
Neighbourhood Living rooms - weekly meetup sort of an open invitation to anyone interested in connecting known as the trird place
In time, we hope to explore shared physical spaces for casual, community-driven connection.
What its not
What it's not:
Not a BIA a traditional Business Improvement Area
Not limited to businesses – it includes, institutions, community groups and residents
Not tied to politics or a single agenda – it stays neutral and community-driven.
Not controlled by any single organization
Not a top-down authority – decisions are made collectively, not imposed from above.
Not a membership-only club – it’s open to all local stakeholders, not just a select few.
Not a one-size-fits-all program – it adapts to neighborhood needs
Not a regulatory body – it supports collaboration & action rather than enforcing rules.
Not a temporary project – it’s designed to be an ongoing, sustainable network.
It stays flexible and community-driven so everyone can participate.
What it's not:
Not a BIA a traditional Business Improvement Area
Not limited to businesses – it includes, institutions, community groups and residents
Not tied to politics or a single agenda – it stays neutral and community-driven.
Not controlled by any single organization
Not a top-down authority – decisions are made collectively, not imposed from above.
Not a membership-only club – it’s open to all local stakeholders, not just a select few.
Not a one-size-fits-all program – it adapts to neighborhood needs
Not a regulatory body – it supports collaboration & action rather than enforcing rules.
Not a temporary project – it’s designed to be an ongoing, sustainable network.
It stays flexible and community-driven so everyone can participate.
Where
Where? iCBIG focuses on Old Ottawa South as a defined neighborhood and its outer ring of surrounding neighbours.
When
When? iCBIG started with a positive conversation in 2024. We're now (organically) turning that into action.
How will this work
By creating a shared platform Hub, facilitate connections for collaboration and engagement
A shared directory - to find partners, share resources, support local initiatives
Feedback of what people need and what's missing
Facilitate Small action projects
Encourage partnerships between groups
Storytelling about local successes or issues
Job and volunteer network
It will act as a catalyst for collaboration, making it easy for ideas to move from talk into action.
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