Community Improvement Plan

Purpose

This grant is proposed to support pre-development projects, through the completion of professional studies or reports to determine the feasibility of adaptively reusing, rehabilitating, retrofitting, converting, redeveloping, or developing commercial, industrial, or other Mixed-use buildings or uses.  

This Grant promotes high-quality proposals and developments through the completion of professional studies. The Municipality will also be able to retain a copy of any study/report for future reference.

Value of Grant

The proposed value of the Design and Study Grant is up to 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $1,500 per project/property.    

Program Specific Eligibility

• Properties will be eligible for the Design and Study Grant if the proposed or potential use being investigated is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2.  

• The studies, plans, or designs must provide new site-specific information in support of a potential improvement project.  

• Eligible studies must be completed by a licensed and/or qualified professional as confirmed by the Municipality.

Eligible Costs

The cost to complete any of the following types of studies, plans, or designs may be eligible for the Design and Study Grant:

• Conceptual plans;

• Structural analysis;

• Traffic Impact Assessment or parking studies;

• Site plan drawings;

• Environmental studies;

• Architectural drawings;

• Interior design plans for a commercial development;

• Engineering plans;

• Market analysis;

• Other site-specific studies or plans which may be required or recommended by the Municipality at the time of a pre-application submission meetings or consultation on an application under the Planning Act.  

Applicants will be required to meet with the CIP Administrator prior to submitting an application to confirm the eligibility of the proposed plan/study. Refer to Section 7.4.1 for further detail on the CIP application process.

Payment of Grant

All completed studies, plans, or designs must comply with the description of the project provided in the grant application form.  The grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved study, plan, or design. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less.  One electronic and one hard copy of the completed studies, plans, or designs shall be submitted to the Municipality. All completed studies will become the shared property of the Municipality and applicant.  

Purpose and Anticipated Benefits

The Commercial Conversion/Rental Housing Grant may be available to eligible applicants to assist in the small-scale conversion of existing Vacant or underutilized buildings into new commercial, rental housing units, Mixed-use and/or other eligible uses.  

It will help support the establishment of new businesses, and the growth of existing businesses within the Urban CIP Area, thereby increasing consumer options, employment opportunities, and commercial tax assessment.

 It is also intended to support the significant improvement to existing rental housing units, introduce more housing options, and increase the available supply of rental housing.  

Value of Grant

For Commercial Conversions, a grant may be provided for $20 per square foot of converted or expanded commercial floor space up to a maximum of $5,000. For

Rental Housing projects, a grant may be provided for 50% of eligible costs for each unit, up to a total of $5,000 per unit (to a maximum of 2 units).

Eligible Costs

Properties will be eligible for the Commercial Conversion/Rental Housing Grant if the proposed or potential use is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2. The Commercial Conversion/Rental Housing Grant may be provided for the construction and renovation costs related to the following types of projects:

• Conversion of non-commercial or Vacant or underutilized building space into new commercial, rental housing units, Mixed-use, and other eligible uses;

• Conversion of upper storey space (whether vacant, office, commercial or other non-residential use) into new affordable residential rental housing units, in accordance with Section 2.5.6 of the Southwest Middlesex Official Plan;

• Conversion of existing ground floor commercial space to better suit a new commercial use (e.g., retail to restaurant); and

• Expansion of existing eligible uses to increase the gross floor area and/or create employment opportunities.

The Grant will also apply to the adaptive re-use of derelict structures.

For the Rental Housing Grant, the following may be eligible: 

• Construction services for the creation of new residential units in the upper storey(s) of a Mixed-use building OR significant improvement in the quality of one or more existing residential units in the upper storey(s) of a Mixed-use building, which achieve one of the following:  Improve the quality of life for the occupants; Increase the value of the units;  Make previously inhabitable units habitable; or,  Make the unit affordable, in accordance with Section 2.5.6 of the Southwest Middlesex Official Plan.

• The services of a professional engineer, architect, or planner to design and implement the project will also be considered eligible costs; however, the maximum amount for such services shall not exceed 15% of the grant.

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of 50% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose and Anticipated Benefits

The Planning Application and Building Permit Fee Grant may be available to eligible applicants to offset the planning and building fees required by the Municipality.

Value of Grant

Where all eligibility requirements are fulfilled, a Planning Application and Building Permit Fee Grant may be provided to cover 50% of the eligible fees required by the Municipality in relation to a proposed project and/or property. The Municipality will provide a maximum of $1,000 per project and/or property as part of a Planning Application and Building Permit Fee Grant.

Eligible Costs

Properties will be eligible for the Planning and Building Permit Fee Grant if the proposed or potential use is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2. Eligible costs include fees levied by the Municipality associated with the development or redevelopment of eligible properties. Applicable Municipal fees may include applications/permits associated with:

• Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments;

• Minor variances;

• Site plan control;

• Building permits;

• Cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication;

• Cash-in-lieu of parking requirements;

• Other required development fees as identified through the Municipality’s fee schedule/bylaw, as amended.

Payment

Regular fees are paid at the time of the development application, and the grant in the amount of the fees paid is provided to the applicant following substantial completion of the project/development. This is done to ensure that projects are completed in accordance with the approved CIP application.  

Purpose

This grant program encourages improvements to existing building facades to promote an attractive, active, and pedestrian friendly streetscape. It is also intended to encourage the restoration, rehabilitation, and maintenance of heritage attributes and historic downtown character.

Value of Grant

The proposed value of the Façade Grant is up to 50% of eligible costs to complete the project up to a maximum of $2,500 per project/property. This may be increased to the maximum total grant value of $4,000 at the sole discretion of Council if the project meets one or more of the following:

• The building has multiple street frontages (e.g., corner lots) or multiple street addresses, where façade improvements are proposed on both frontages;

• The building is considered a ‘gateway’ feature of the community;

• The building has a secondary access or a prominent view from a laneway, or parking lot; and/or  

• A property has been identified as a Priority Project/Site in accordance with Section 6.4.  

Eligible Project and Costs

Properties will be eligible for the Façade Improvement Grant if the proposed or potential use is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2. For a Façade Improvement Grant, eligible costs include the following:

• Restoration or replacement of exterior building treatments, such as brickwork/cladding/siding;

• Restoration or replacement of cornices, eaves, and parapets;

• Restoration or replacement of windows doors, and awnings;

• Restoration or replacement of exterior lighting;

• Exterior painting;

• Chemical or another façade cleaning;  

• Redesign of storefront or entrance modifications;

• Such other similar improvements and repairs that may be necessary to improve the appearance of a building façade.

Improvements to the main building façade, and side and/or rear wall may also be eligible where the subject building or property is located adjacent to or is visible from a view corridor or otherwise has a significant public view in the opinion of Municipal staff.

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of up to 50% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose

This program encourages the improvement of commercial signage to promote an attractive, active, and pedestrian-friendly streetscape, and one that reflects a cohesive vision for the Municipality.  

Value of Grant

The Grant may cover 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $1,000. The maximum grant value may be increased to $2,000 at the sole discretion of Council if the proposed signage project meets one or more of the following:

• The building has multiple street frontages (e.g., corner lots) or multiple street addresses, where signage improvements are proposed on both frontages; and/or

• The building has a secondary access or a prominent view from a laneway, or parking lot; and signage improvements are proposed at each access.

• A property has been identified as a Priority Project/Site in accordance with Section 6.4.

Eligible Project and Costs

Properties will be eligible for the Sign Improvement Grant if the proposed or potential use is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2. For a Sign Improvement Grant, eligible costs include the following:

• Improvements to or replacement of the storefront signs of buildings are eligible, including material and construction costs.

• Where a side and/or rear wall sign is visible from a public street or public space, or fronts onto a laneway or parking lot, improvements to these signs may also be eligible.

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of up to 50% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose

The Building, Property, and Accessibility Improvement Grant is intended to extent the useful life and viability of the existing building stock in Southwest Middlesex. It is intended to provide for safe, usable, and more energy efficient, sustainable, and accessible spaces. This grant is focused more on functional building improvements and applies to interior spaces as well as exterior spaces, such as patios.

It may apply to structural repairs, interior restoration and design, improvements to building infrastructure such as roofing, windows, and doors, and weather and floodproofing. It also encourages the installation of energy efficient building systems (Energy StarTM rated windows and doors, renewable energy, or energy savings technology such as motion censor lighting, smart heating/cooling systems, etc.).  This may also apply to climate change adaptation/mitigation projects, including floodproofing.  

It also applies to the construction of ramps, automatic door systems or entrance modifications to improve overall property accessibility.  

Value of Grant

The proposed value of the Building, Property, and Accessibility Grant is up to 50% of eligible costs to complete the project up to a maximum of $5,000 per project/property.

Eligible Project and Costs

Properties will be eligible for the Building, Property, and Accessibility Improvement Grant if the proposed or potential use is in accordance with the eligible uses identified in Section 6.2. For a Building, Property, and Accessibility Improvement Grant, eligible costs may include the following:  

• Structural repairs to walls, ceilings, floors, and foundations;

• Interior restoration and design;

• Repair/replacement/installation of building infrastructure such as roofing, windows, and doors;

• Repair/replacement/installation of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection systems;

• Weather and floodproofing;

• Improvements to energy efficiency through insulation upgrades, Energy StarTM windows and doors, etc.  

• Installation of renewable energy technology, or energy saving technology (motion sensor lighting, smart heating/cooling systems.  

• The construction of ramps, automatic door systems or similar measures to improve overall accessibility;

• Other improvements that may bring a building up to code or address health and safety concerns, as approved by the Municipality.  

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less.  

Purpose and Anticipated Benefits:

The Tax Increment Grant (TIG) program will provide a grant to eligible applicants, which is equivalent to a percentage of the Municipal portion of a property Tax Increment that is incurred because of an improvement project. The purpose of the TIG is to stimulate investment by effectively deferring part of the increase in property taxation because of adaptive reuse, building rehabilitation, and retrofit works.

Value of Grant:

Where a proposed project satisfies the eligibility requirements, a TIG may be provided on approved applications as follows:

• Grants will be provided for a period of 5 years; 

• In year one, a grant that is equivalent to 100% of the Municipal portion of the Tax Increment will be provided to a property owner;

• In year two, a grant that is equivalent to 80% of the Municipal portion of the Tax Increment will be provided to a property owner;

• In year three, a grant that is equivalent to 60% of the Municipal portion of the Tax Increment will be provided to a property owner;

• In year four, a grant that is equivalent to 40% of the Municipal portion of the Tax Increment will be provided to a property owner; and

• In year five, a grant that is equivalent to 20% of the Municipal portion of the Tax Increment will be provided to a property owner.

To determine the suitability of the TIG, the Municipality will attempt to estimate the total potential value of the grant prior to submitting an application for the program.

The estimate will consider current assessment value, total anticipated investment, and the potential reassessment based on completing the approved community improvement works. Applicants should refer to the definition for Tax Increment provided in the Glossary of this CIP to further understand how grant values will be calculated.  

Eligibility Criteria:

• Eligible applicants will only include the registered owner/assessed owner of the subject property.  Tenants will not be eligible for the TIG.

• Only those projects that are anticipated to generate an increase in assessment will be eligible.

• Properties will be eligible for the TIG if the proposed use is in accordance with the table of eligible uses in Section 6.2.

• All other general eligibility criteria set out in Section 6.2 of this CIP must be met.

• Applicants receiving the TIG will not be eligible for additional incentive programs offered through this Plan.

Eligible Projects and Costs:

Eligible projects and costs for the TIG include the following:  

• Costs associated with the redevelopment of a property for the purpose of a new eligible uses;

• Costs associated with the restoration or improvement of an existing building to accommodate an eligible use;  

• The conversion or adaptive reuse of an existing building to accommodate an eligible use;  

• The expansion of a building that results in an increase to the gross floor area of an eligible use;

• Infrastructure work including the improvement or reconstruction of existing on-site public infrastructure (water services, sanitary and storm sewer); and

• The services of a professional engineer, architect, or planner to design and implement the project;

• Other types of projects may also be considered eligible, at the discretion of Council.

Payment:

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. Grants may be provided in accordance with a Financial Assistance Agreement made between the Municipality and the owner(s) upon successful completion of the approved project, to the satisfaction of the Municipality, and payment of the full reassessed value of Municipal taxes. If a property is sold, in whole or in part, before the grant period lapses, the original owner is not entitled to receive the remaining grant payments. However, if a grant agreement is registered on the title of the subject property, the new owner may be entitled to receive the remaining grant payments. 

Purpose and Anticipated Benefits:

• Support entrepreneurs working with the community;

• Encourage vibrant seasonal or semi-permanent uses in underutilized lots in the CIPA;

• Increase the speed of community improvement; 

• Provide relief from part or all of lease costs for a new business locating in the CIPA;  

• Promote the occupancy of Vacant or underutilized business-ready commercial spaces.  

Value of Grant:

The proposed value of the “Pop-up” Business Construction Grant is up to 50% of eligible costs to complete the project up to a maximum of $2,500 per project/property.

Eligible Projects and Costs:

Eligible costs include:

• Costs to construct a seasonal or semi-permanent structure to house a new or relocated retail business.  

• Costs of a temporary use or special use permit, as required by the Municipality

• Part of the lease costs for eligible commercial space(s) for 12 months • All or part of the costs for utilities/services

• In addition to the general eligibility requirements listed in Section 6.2, the following additional eligibility requirements apply: Project must be located on a Vacant or underutilized lot.

Payment:

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less.  

Purpose

The Farm Gate Grant aims to support local agriculturally related uses by providing retail opportunities for local foods or produce. The grant will support the development of semi-permanent or seasonal kiosks/stands along Arterial roads (as designated in the municipal Official Plan), and with direct access to such Arterial roads.

Value of Grant

The proposed value of the Farm Gate Grant is up to 75% of eligible costs to complete the project up to a maximum of $2,000 per project/property.

Eligible Projects and Costs

Eligible costs for the Farm Gate Grant may include the following:

• Re-purposing an agricultural building to support expanded agriculturally-related uses and secondary farm occupations

• Construction of farm-stands and on-farm stores/markets, where permitted in the current Municipal Zoning Bylaw, as amended

• Design and construction of Farm stand, or farm gate sales, signage for existing uses

• Bringing any existing farm stand structure into compliance with the Building Code

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of 75% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose

There is existing pride in the Barn Quilt and Mural programs within the community. The Public Art Grant is intended to encourage the installation of public art programming to improve overall aesthetics, promote local art and culture, and contribute to a sense of community pride throughout Southwest Middlesex.  

Value of Grant

For the Public Art projects, a grant may be provided for 75% of eligible costs up to a total of $1,000.

Eligible Projects and Costs

Eligible costs for the Public Art Grant may include the following:  

• Material, fees for the services of an artist, installation costs, and lighting which highlights the art piece for projects such as: murals, barn quilts, sculptures, paintings, local heritage-based art pieces and displays and commemorations, and other public art projects deemed appropriate by Council.  

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of 75% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose

The Technology Expansion Grant will assist business owners cover the costs of improving and/or expanding technological infrastructure. These improvements are frequently required to enhance connectivity or to implement digital practices to move a business online.

Value of Grant

A grant may be provided for 75% of eligible costs up to a total of $1,000.

Eligible Projects and Costs

Eligible costs for the Technology Expansion Grant may include the following:

• Implementation of optional payment methods (cashless transactions, tap on merchant machines).  

• Physical infrastructure required to enhance internet connectivity.

• Cost of professionals hired to integrate physical updates to websites, online payment systems or to build and enhance e-commerce platforms.

• Other improvements as deemed appropriate by Council.

Payment

All completed projects must comply with the description as provided in the grant application form. The Grant will be provided upon successful completion of the approved project. The grant will be paid in a lump sum as a reimbursement of 75% of costs incurred, or the maximum value of the grant, whichever is less. 

Purpose

The Multiple Properties Supplemental Grant is designed to encourage a coordinated, community approach to improvement projects. Where multiple owners or tenants (with consent of the owner) of eligible properties and uses implement a coordinated approach to improvement projects that are eligible under the financial incentive programs of this CIP, each owner or tenant will be eligible for a ‘Supplemental Grant’.  The ‘Supplemental Grant’ is offered in addition to the grant(s) that have been approved for a project.

Value of Grant

Where a proposed project satisfies the eligibility requirements, a Multiple Properties Supplemental Grant may be provided on approved applications to each owner or tenant involved in an eligible improvement project, in addition to the sum of the grant applied for.  The value of the Supplemental Grant will be equal to 25% of the total value of the grant provided to each owner or tenant, to a maximum of $1,000 per owner or tenant.

Program-Specific Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

• Owners or tenants (with consent of the owner) of properties that are located in proximity to each other must prepare and submit applications for financial incentives at the same time and show that the proposed projects are being coordinated.

• Applicants need to be approved for at least one of the following financial incentives:  Design and Study Grant, Façade Improvement Grant, Sign Improvement Grant, Building, Property, and Accessibility Grant, Commercial Conversion/Rental Housing Grant.