Community Improvement Plan

A Community Improvement Plan is a common revitalization tool that has been implemented by many municipalities across Ontario. The purpose of a Community Improvement Plan is to encourage the beautification, rehabilitation, and other improvements to the downtown cores.

The program provides funding for businesses to improve the exterior of their building providing the improvements are eligible and fall within the design guidelines of the Community Improvement Plan.

Program information

There are many benefits with the Community Improvement Plan including:

• increased property value
• enhanced downtown appearance
• new customer attraction
• increased support for local business
• up to 50% of eligible costs covered

There are nine types of grants available through the Community Improvement Plan:

• Facade Improvement
• Signage Improvement
• Upper Story Apartment Improvement
• Property and Private Parking Improvement
• Planning and Building Application
• Adaptive Commercial Reuse Grant
• Tax Increment Equivalent Program
• Brownfield Study Grant
• Brownfield Property Tax Assistance Grant

The County of Brant currently has three Community Improvement Plan's underway in Burford, Paris and St. George. Each Community Improvement Plan has their own unique design guideline:

• Burford Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
• Burford Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines (PDF)
• Paris Community improvement Plan (PDF)
• Paris Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines (PDF)
• St. George Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
• St. George Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines (PDF)

To apply, fill out the CIP Application for Financial Incentives.

Once complete, contact the County of Brant to set up a consultation and application review meeting with staff. [contact form]

Public Safety Community Improvement Plan

During the pandemic, additional interior safety measures were identified as another avenue to protect the public and employees from COVID-19. The Public Safety Community Improvement Plan Program was created to help cover the cost of this expense.

Through the Plan, eligible businesses may receive a onetime grant of up $2,000. For the first $1,000.00 spent, the County will refund 100% of eligible costs excluding HST, and 50% of the remaining costs up to a maximum grant value of $2,000.00. Please note, projects cannot be reimbursed for work already completed. For more details, view the Public Safety Community Improvement Plan summary (PDF).

Apply

To apply, complete the Public Safety Community Improvement Plan Application (PDF).

Once complete, contact the County of Brant to set up a consultation and application review meeting with staff. [contact form]

View the full Public Safety Community Improvement Plan (PDF).