Community Improvement Plan

This grant, of up to $3000 in 50/50 matching funds is intended to provide funds to assist owners and tenants of existing commercial buildings, particularly older buildings in the Central Area, with accessibility improvements to improve the accessibility of the Central Area and commercial buildings throughout the Town.
The grant can be used for the following types of projects:

• Power assist door operators
• Renovation of building entrances
• Upgrading of doors
• Installation of ramps
• Installation of elevating devices
• Renovations to create accessible washrooms

For full details, see Community Improvement Plan

*For properties in the Central Area

Interest-free loan or grant for alleyway building facade improvements and works to comply with
the Central Area Design Study

Details:

• 50/50 matching funds
• Maximum of $10,000 per project
• Commercial properties in the Central Area are eligible.
• Projects that meet energy conservation and efficiency goals shall be given a higher score

For full details, see Community Improvement Plan

Grant to offset cost of retaining professionals to provide acceptable design(s), in accordance
with the Central Area Design Study for eligible properties in the Central Area.

• 50/50 matching funds
• Maximum of $2,500 per project
• Commercial properties in the Central Area are eligible

Grant to cover up to 50% of the cost of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, designated
substances and hazardous materials survey, remedial work plan or risk assessment.

• 50/50 matching funds
• Maximum of $5,000 per project
• Applicant must provide a copy of the ESA to the Town for their records

Interest-free loan or grant for exterior renovations of buildings within the Central Area. Eligible improvements may consist of external repairs to facades, including signage, lighting, entrances and display windows. Interior renovations will not be eligible.

• 50/50 matching funds
• Maximum of $10,000 per façade
• Commercial properties in the Central Area are eligible.
• Other commercial properties outside of the Central Area may be eligible at prominent
  locations. These projects will not be eligible for the matching BIA funds.
• Project shall conform with the design principles contained within the Town’s Central Area Design Study
• Projects that meet energy conservation and efficiency goals shall be given a higher
  score

See Community Improvement Plan for full details

Grant to rebate the cost of fees for Building Permits for commercial and industrial properties in the CIP area. Commercial Properties outside of the Central Area are not eligible for building
permit grants.

For full details, see Community Improvement Plan

Grant to reimburse legal costs and costs associated with the registration of agreements
associated with the above programs.

• This may take the form of Town staff registering applicable agreements on title, or a grant to a maximum of $200 to reimburse legal costs of having a solicitor register the applicable agreements on title.

Grant to rebate increases in Town property taxes resulting from improvements or redevelopment of lands and buildings, for properties in the CIP area. Projects must meet the eligibility criteria of:

• an increase in the assessed value of the property;
• supporting Town objectives of increased residential density, retail, business services and industrial diversity, etc., as contained in the Town’s strategic plans;
• conform to the principles of the Town’s Central Area Design Study (where applicable);
• additional criteria of having front of building comprised of 75% glass, brick or stone and preference given to projects that use the heritage yellow brick evidenced throughout the downtown (where applicable);
• projects that meet energy conservation and efficiency goals shall be given a higher score;
• projects that meet water conservation and re-use goals shall also be given a higher
  score.

For full details, see Community Improvement Plan