ELGINCENTIVES COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

A CIP allows the municipality to assist financially with improvements to private properties.

Elgin County is dedicated to enhancing the quality of place for businesses, residents and visitors alike, stimulating economic growth and diversification.

Providing financial assistance to business and property owners for improvements, restorations and redevelopment projects.

Before

PROGRAM DETAILS & EXAMPLES

Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (for Major Projects)To stimulate major investment by deferring part of the increase in property taxation as a result of a redevelopment or rehabilitation project. Up to 100% of the Municipal and/or County portion.

Façade, Signage, and Property Improvement GrantTo assist with improvements to a building's façade or signage or other improvements to private property. 50% of eligible costs, façade up to $10,000, signage up to $7,500 and property up to $5,000.

Building Improvement/Restoration GrantTo assist with the maintenance and physical improvement of existing buildings. 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000.

CIP Incentive Programs

Elgin County has developed the following set of incentive programs, which will be provided by the County via the Elgincentives CIP, in order to stimulate private sector investment in land and buildings.

What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A CIP is a tool that allows municipalities to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward specifically defined project areas. The Elgin County Economic Development office has prepared this CIP in order to achieve important community goals.

Elgincentives Program Goals

A. To stimulate economic growth and diversification. B. To enhance the quality of place

for residents and visitors. C. To improve the stability and sustainability of the tax base.

Eligible Properties

There are a number of key areas of local economic activity where the need for improvement has been deemed the greatest and where additional investments will result in significant economic development benefits. These include:

After The Wharf Building, Port StanleyBefore Before

nDowntowns and main street areas

nAgricultural areas nThe ports and lakeshore areas

nOther key tourist and private outdoor recreational areas

Energy Efficiency Retrofit GrantTo assist with retrofits that improve the overall energy efficiency of a building. A grant may cover up to 25% of the retrofit costs, to a maximum of $10,000.

Building Conversion/Expansion GrantTo assist in the small-scale conversion of existing vacant space into new commercial, mixed-use and other eligible uses. $15 per square foot of converted or expanded floor space, up to $10,000.

Outdoor Art GrantTo assist with the permanent installation of outdoor artwork/sculptures in priority areas. 50% of the eligible cost of the improvements, to a maximum of $3,000.

Feasibility/Design Study GrantTo assist with the completion of studies and plans that will investigate the potential for, or the support of, a new business or development project. 50% of the eligible costs, up to $2,000.

Application and Permit Fees RebateTo reduce costs for planning applications or building permits in relation to an improvement project. 50% of the Municipal and/or County portion of eligible costs, up to $2,000.

Multiple Property Owners Supplemental GrantProviding a supplemental grant where multiple owners or tenants implement a coordinated approach to projects, up to $1,000.

Savour Elgin/Elgin Arts Trail Supplemental GrantProviding a supplemental grant where the establishment of a new eligible use will also meet the criteria of the “Savour Elgin” and/or “Elgin Arts Trail” programs, up to $2,000.

AfterBefore Periscope Playhouse, Port Burwell

Application Process

Please see the chart below for a summary of the review, approval and payment incentives offered through the Elgincentives CIP.

Elgincentives: How To Apply

The Elgincentives Implementation Committee will meet bi-monthly to review applications;

January | March | May | July | September | November

All applications are due by the first of the month. Any application received after this date will not be considered until the following meeting.

If the request for grants at any given meeting exceeds the amount of funds available, points awarded by the committee from an evaluation based on the applications will be used to determine how much money will be granted to an applicant.

Elgin County Economic Development | 450 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 | 519-631- 1460 ext. 168

info@elgin.ca | www.elgincentives.ca

1 2 3 4 5 6Pre-consultationMeeting

Application Submitted to Committee

CommitteeMakes Decision

Approved Applicant Undertakes Work

Upon Completion of Work Final Inspection

Grant is Paid

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

After

Before

Blueberry Hill, Rodney