Grants and Incentives: Community Improvement Plan

Community Improvement Plan (Streamlined to Reflect 2024 Priorities)

Broadly speaking, a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning and economic development tool that sets out a framework to assist in community revitalization and aims to achieve economic, community planning, and urban development goals.

Grey Highlands' Community Improvement Plan provides many community benefits by:

Stimulating private sector investment in the community through grants from the Municipality;
Promoting revitalization and place-making to attract tourism, business investment, and economic development opportunities;
Enhancing streetscapes and building facades;
Encouraging the effective use of community infrastructure.

Businesses and property owners considering participation in the CIP are encouraged to review the full program details linked below, as the Program has been streamlined in 2024 to reflect Council priorities.

Program criteria may change over time, and all unapproved applications will be subject to the Community Improvement Plan parameters that are current at the time of Council consideration. Submitted (unapproved) applications are subject to Council discretion, including (but not limited to) changes in program priorities, available grants, maximum allocations, and annual budgets.

Key Updates to the Community Improvement Plan (2024)

Program limited to micro-grants that prioritize projects that focus on beautification in downtown cores.
Active funding categories:
- Façade improvements
  - up to a maximum of $1,000 (or 50% of eligible costs (excluding HST), whichever is less)
- Signage improvements
  - up to a maximum of $500 (or 50% of eligible costs (excluding HST), whichever is less)
- Accessibility improvements
  - up to a maximum of $250 towards the purchase of a portable accessibility ramp (up to 100% of the cost of the ramp (excluding HST), whichever is less)
Applications are not currently being accepted for any other funding category.
Maximum funding cap of $1,500 on the total financial incentives approved per property roll number per year.
The total number of approved applications per property roll number is limited to a maximum of three over a five-year period, up to a total combined maximum of $3,000 in financial incentives.
There are no intake deadlines for program applications; applications will be received on an ongoing basis.
Participation in this program is limited to independently owned and operated businesses that are not part of any franchise.
Due to the simplified nature of the current program, a pre-application consultation meeting with the multidisciplinary staff team is not required.

Community Improvement Plan Document and Application Form

Please click here to obtain a copy of the Plan.

Please click here to obtain a copy of the application.

Please email planning@greyhighlands.ca for more information or to obtain a hard-copy of the application form.

In the event of a discrepancy between the Community Improvement Plan document and Resolutions of Council, the Resolutions of Council and their intent will be taken as correct.

Municipality of Grey Highlands
PO Box 409
206 Toronto Street South
Markdale, ON
N0C 1H0

Phone: 519-986-2811
Toll free: 1-888-342-4059
Fax: 519-986-3643
Email: info@greyhighlands.ca

Hours of operation:

Monday to Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm