Environmental Site Assessment Grant Program

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible environmental studies to a maximum:

a) grant of $20,000 per study;

b) two (2) studies per project; and,

c) $30,000 per project.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Brownfield (entire urban area)

Eligible Properties/Projects: All properties, but applicants must clearly demonstrate a legitimate intention to undertake eligible community improvement/redevelopment of the property.

Urban Design Grant Program 

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of preparing professional urban design studies, architectural/design drawings, and heritage impact assessments to a maximum grant of $2,000 per property/project.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront

Eligible Properties/Projects: All properties with potential for eligible community improvements

Facade and Property Improvement Grant Program

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible front facade and storefront improvement and restoration works up to a maximum grant per project of $20,000. Maximum grant can be increased by up to $5,000 (on a matching 50/50 basis) for projects on properties that are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

A separate grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible side and/or rear facade improvement and restoration works up to maximum grant per project of $5,000 only where said rear and/or side facades are highly visible from a public road, public parking area or public open space.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront

Eligible Properties/Projects: Existing commercial, institutional and mixed use buildings only

Residential Grant Program

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of renovating existing residential units and/or constructing new residential units on the basis of $15 per sq. ft., to a maximum grant of $15,000 per unit and a maximum of 5 units per property/project (total maximum grant of $75,000 per property/project).

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront

Eligible Properties/Projects:

i) Renovation to existing residential units in mixed use buildings to Building Code, Fire Code, and Property Standards Bylaw.

ii) Conversion of excess/vacant commercial space on upper stories of commercial and mixed use buildings into one (1) or more net residential units.

iii) Intensification of existing mixed use or residential apartment/multi-unit building that adds one (1) or more net residential units.

iv) Vacant lots (including parking lots) converting to mixed use or residential use where two (2) or more net residential units are being created.

Affordable Rental Housing Grant Program

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of constructing new affordable rental housing units on the basis of $15 per sq. ft., to a maximum grant of $15,000 per unit and a maximum of 5 units per property/project (total maximum grant of $75,000 per property/project).

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Entire urban area, but priority will be given to applications in Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront CIPAs.

Eligible Properties/Projects: New affordable rental housing units; rental housing units only created by eligible project types ii) to iv) above. Can be combined with the Residential Grant Program, in the Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront CIPAs, as applicable.

Brownfields Tax Assistance Program (TAP) 

Cancellation of the City property tax increase for up to 5 (five) years during the tax assistance period. Cancellation of the education property tax increase is subject to approval by the Minister of Finance and is a separate process from the CIP program application process.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Brownfield (entire urban area)

Eligible Properties/Projects: Property must have a corresponding Brownfield TIG application

Tax Increment Grant (TIG) Program

Main Street, Downtown and East Waterfront TIG - Annual TIG equal to 80% of City property tax increase generated by project for up to 10 (ten) years following project completion. TIG increases to 100% for affordable rental housing units.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront

Eligible Properties/Projects: Only projects that create a minimum increase in assessment value of the property (as determined by MPAC)

Development Charge Grant (DCG) Program

Main Street, Downtown and East Waterfront DCG – A grant equal to 50% of the City DC payable.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Main Street, Downtown, and East Waterfront

Eligible Properties/Projects: Applicants must choose between the TIG Program and the DCG Program.

Affordable Rental Housing DCG – A grant equal to 100% of the City DC payable on affordable rental housing units.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Entire urban area

Eligible Properties/Projects: Applicants must choose between a TIG Program and the DCG Program.

Brownfield DCG – A grant equal to up to 100% of the City DC payable.

Eligible Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA): Brownfield

Eligible Properties/Projects: Applicant must apply and be approved for a Brownfield TIG.

Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Centre CIP