Downtown Community Improvement Plan

Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program

What is a Community Improvement Plan?

Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) focus on the maintenance, rehabilitation, development and redevelopment of targeted areas. Municipalities designate project areas through bylaws included in their Official Plan. The municipality can provide grants or loans, as well as implement policy initiatives, within CIP project areas to help pay for certain costs.

Section 28 of the Planning Act gives municipalities that define policies within their Official Plans the ability to prepare Community Improvement Plans.

Haldimand County’s Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program provides a total of $100,000 annually in downtown financial incentives to eligible property owners who want to invest in the renovation, development or redevelopment of their spaces. This program aims to:

  • Motivate, stimulate and leverage private sector investment within the Downtown Revitalization areas;
  • Promote the economic development and competitiveness of the County’s downtown areas;
  • Increase tax assessment and revenues for the County and the Province of Ontario, and
  • Improve the physical and visual qualities of each of the County’s downtown areas

Who can apply

If you are a:

  • Property owner or
  • Small business operator

located in or serving the downtown areas of Caledonia, Jarvis, Cayuga, Hagersville, Dunnville and/or Selkirk, you’re invited to submit your application until each year’s funding is exhausted. Real estate agents and small business banking officers with eligible clients in these areas can pass this information along to them.

Download the Downtown Financial Incentives Program brochure
Download the entire Downtown Financial Incentives Program

How to apply

  1. Confirm with Haldimand County Economic Development staff that your property is in the CIP area (see maps below).
  2. Download a fillable pdf application form, and instruction package or obtain a printed copy either in-person at Haldimand County’s Central Administrative Office or by mail, or complete the online form.
  3. Upon hearing that your application has been approved, and contracts are in place, do the work, making sure to keep all receipts for materials and supplies.
  4. We’ll confirm the details, and provide funds to cover part or all of the costs of your supplies.

Waterfront facades or facades with public view

If you are:

  • Improving your waterfront facade
  • An owner of a facade with significant public view that is located adjacent to or is clearly visible from the Grand River

The maximum grant amount you’re eligible for could increase from $10,000 to $15,000.

Want to Renovate Your Place Yourself?

If you want to apply to this program to repaint your storefront and you want to do the work yourself this program could cover part of the material costs, such as preparation materials (sandpaper, caulking, etc.) paint, brushes, etc.

Contact

Our Economic Development staff are available to meet with members of BIAs and Chambers of Commerce, property owners, as well as conduct site visits and answer any questions about the program.

Phone: (905) 318-5932 ext. 6315
E-mail: opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca