CIP FAQs
- Building façades
- Signage improvements
- Accessibility improvements
- Environmental stewardship and energy efficiency
- Vacant property conversion/expansion
- Farm gate improvements
- Offer additional funding for façade work and signage for businesses and commercial property owners in the historic core of Walkerton, and in areas of Chepstow, Cargill, Pinkerton and Elmwood.
- Offer financial incentives to revitalize underused or vacant commercial, heritage or industrial space, converting it into new uses, such as rental units, studios, or mixed-use spaces.
- Offer grants or loans for accessibility improvements to commercial spaces in Walkerton and the hamlets
- Offer grants or loans for green initiatives in commercial spaces in Walkerton and the hamlets
- Offer grants for “farm gate” signage for agricultural property owners or tenants that sell directly to the public
What’s a CIP?
A Community Improvement Plan is an economic development tool that allows a municipality to implement certain financial incentive programs, such as loans or grants, to the owners of businesses and commercial properties within a designated Community Improvement Plan Area.
The adoption of a CIP is required under the Municipal Act, 2001 to make these financial incentives available, and CIPs are legislated under the Planning Act.
Council determines what CIP programs may be offered in a given year, and how much will be budgeted for each.
Why is our CIP being updated?
Brockton adopted a CIP in 2014, but is seeking to update it with additional programs, and an expanded coverage area within the municipality.
Our current CIP supports revitalization efforts in the historic urban core of Walkerton through investment in infrastructure, destination development, beautification, heritage, and signage and façade improvements.
The program has been successful, and the municipality wants to expand it to add new programs and apply them to a broader area, including agricultural areas, hamlets with commercial activity, and Walkerton businesses beyond the downtown core.
The initiative is supported through the Brockton Strategic Plan, 2021-2025, and an earlier Business Retention and Expansion study.
Bruce County is also expanding its Spruce the Bruce (STB) program and adding an “industry stream” for certain businesses throughout its eight municipalities. In order for Brockton businesses to access the new STB funding, Brockton’s CIP must include the entire municipality.
What Changes are Being Proposed?
Brockton’s CIP update will provide a framework to encourage the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings and structures, improvement of commercial signage, and redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties and buildings.
The updated CIP allows for six (6) financial assistance programs to registered owners or tenants of land and buildings within the Community Improvement Area that will assist with
The CIP revisions also involve an adjustment of Brockton's community improvement project areas (CIPAs) to include the settlement areas of historic downtown Walkerton, Cargill, Chepstow, Elmwood and Pinkerton, and as well as the full extent of the municipality for certain programs.
What will it mean for my business?
Brockton Council will ultimately decide each year which programs within the CIP it wishes to fund, depending on the municipal budget and other considerations.
The updated CIP will give Council the option to:
The updated CIP will also permit all Brockton businesses to take advantage of the new Spruce the Bruce Industry grants soon coming onstream.