Community Improvement Plan

We are now accepting applications for projects applicable to the Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program, the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program, the Agri-Tourism Grant Program, the Development Charges Grant, the Planning Application, the Building Permit Fee, and Site Study Grant Program, the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Program and Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant Program and projects that seek to achieve the goals identified in the CIP once the 2025 budget has been passed by Council.

Prior to submission of the completed Grant Application Form, all applicants are also required to arrange and participate in a pre-application consultation meeting with the Municipal Economic Development Officer or designate. If you are ready to schedule a pre-application meeting, please contact the Economic Development Officer at 519-357-3550 x130. The application form for all the grant programs can be found here, please refer to the mentioned below application forms:

• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Commercial Façade Improvement Grant
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Direct Grant for Structural Work
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Agri-Tourism Grant
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Development Charges Grant
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Tax Increment Equivalent Grant
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Planning Application, Building Permit Fees, and Site Study Grant
• North Huron Community Improvement Plan Application Form – Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant

Step 1: Applicants are required to contact the Economic Development Officer (EDO) or designate prior to the submission of their application. The purpose of this consultation meeting is to discuss and confirm application requirements, program eligibility, proposed scope of work, project timing, supporting documentation requirements, etc.

Step 2: During the continuous intake on first come first serve basis for applications, submit a complete application form to the Township office, which will include all of the required information and supporting documentation required by the CIP Review Committee. Additional information required by the Committee may include but is not limited to:

• photographs of the existing building condition;
• historical photographs and/or drawings, where available;
• a site plan and/or professional drawings;
• specifications of the proposed work including a work plan for the improvements and construction drawings;
• one (1) cost estimate for eligible work provided by a licensed contractor. The contractor’s WSIB number must be listed on the cost estimate.

Step 3: All applications will be subject to review by the North Huron CIP Review Committee. The Committee will review the application against program criteria and make a recommendation in a report to the Council to approve or deny the application.

Step 4: The Council will consider the recommendation of the CIP Review Committee and will make the final decision on applications. There is no appeal of the Council’s decision.

Step 5: If approved, the applicant has eighteen (18) months to complete the project as approved. No variations from the approved project are permitted without written approval from the Council. Successful applicants will be required to enter into an agreement with the Township which will outline the terms, duration, default, and any other provisions of the incentive program as well as obtain any necessary permits.

Once complete, the applicant provides the Township with copies of paid receipts for the work involved in the approved project. Provided the project is completed as approved and to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official, the Township’s Director of Finance will issue payment to the applicant to a maximum of the grant amount approved by the Council.

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program

The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program offers grants to eligible building owners and tenants for front and exterior side commercial façades, within the designated Community Improvement Project Areas. This program promotes aesthetic and accessibility-related improvements to buildings that otherwise may not occur due to the cost premiums associated with these improvements. Building owners or tenants within the CIP Project area are eligible for a grant of up to 50% (unless noted) of the eligible improvement costs up to a maximum grant of $8,000.

Under the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program, preference is given to projects which clearly result in a distinct visual improvement.

Eligibility criteria for the Façade Improvement Grant Program are included in Appendix 1 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Direct Grant for Structural Work Program

The Direct Grant for Structural Work Program offers grants to eligible landowners, businesses and developers that propose significant commercial, institutional, or residential projects that substantially renovate, restore, improve and upgrade a prominent building or structure within the designated Wingham, Blyth or Belgrave Community Improvement Project Areas. This grant program offers grants to eligible building owners and tenants to undertake significant structural work. This program promotes energy efficiency, increased safety, updated residential rental and commercial supply, and accessibility-related improvements to buildings that otherwise may not occur due to the cost premiums associated with these improvements.

Under the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program, preference is given to projects that demonstrate the highest community benefit by achieving the greatest number of the following goals:

• addresses structural and life safety issues to create usable and efficient floor space;
• improves property standards or preserves architectural significance;
• upgrades public infrastructure such as sanitary sewer, water, storm water drainage, roadway, sidewalks;
• preserves or enhances employment opportunities;
• creates affordable housing in a range of occupancies;
• enhances fire protection such as sprinkler systems, fire separations and similar;
• improves energy efficiency or reduces water and sewer needs;
• enhances urban design on and around the subject lands and adjacent public space as well as linkages to trails, parks, core areas and other focal points.
• supports planting, replacement and enhancement of healthy trees and landscaping; and,
• implements sound watershed planning practices that help mitigate, protect or reduce flooding impacts within the Maitland River watershed or other local or rural drainage areas.

Eligibility criteria for the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program are included in Appendix 2 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Agri-Tourism Grant Program

Agri-Tourism Grant is intended to encourage agricultural property owners and tenants to diversify their on-farm offerings and expand into new markets. Subject to the Council’s approval, the recommended Agri-Tourism Grant would provide up to 50% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant of $10,000.

Eligibility criteria for the Agri-Tourism Grant Program are included in Appendix 3 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Development Charges Grant Program

The purpose of the Development Charges Grant is to encourage the development and redevelopment of sites within the CIP project area. The development charges owed by an owner or tenant of a property for residential (10 or more residential units in an apartment or multiple-unit building), commercial, and industrial development could pay the development charges in equal installments within 4 years subject to the Council’s approval.

Eligibility criteria for the Development Charges Grant Program are included in Appendix 4 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Planning Application, Building Permit Fees, and Site Study Grant Program

The Planning Application, Building Permit Fees, and Site Study Grant is described in Section 7.5. This program intends to stimulate investment by property owners or tenants of commercial or mixed-use buildings, and industrial and residential property in the CIP area through the provision of a grant to those who wish to invest. Subject to the Council’s approval, the recommended grant would provide up to 50% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant of $5,000.

Eligibility criteria for the Planning Application, Building Permit Fees, and Site Study Grant Program are included in Appendix 5 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Program

The time period for the TIEG program is subject to the Council’s discretion up to a maximum of 5 years per project, or until eligible remediation and redevelopment costs have been offset, whichever comes first. This Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) program provides tax assistance to private land owners in order to encourage private sector investment in residential, commercial, and industrial properties or buildings.

The TIEG program will provide tax assistance equal to all or a portion of the municipal property tax increase (increment) following the completion of a project owned by a private landowner that has resulted in an increase in the assessed property value.

Eligibility criteria for the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Program are included in Appendix 6 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant

The Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant is described in Section 7.7. The purpose of the Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant Program is to assist new businesses and start-up companies to ‘set -up -shop’ by providing grants for the financing of permanent leasehold improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces that increase the marketability of the property and commercial rental units in the designated CIP area. Where all eligibility requirements are fulfilled, a Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant may be provided for up to 50% of the eligible project costs up to $5,000.

Eligibility criteria for the Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant Program are included in Appendix 7 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

The entirety of the Township is designated as a Community Improvement Project Area as per Figure 1 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.