What is a Community Improvement Plan?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning and economic development framework that includes public realm improvement projects and financial incentive programs designed to stimulate private sector investment and building rehabilitation and development. CIPs can assist residents, business owners, and investors to plan for the revitalization, redevelopment and stabilization of their neighbourhoods.

A CIP enables municipalities to provide financial incentives to private commercial landowners for improvements to lands, buildings, signs, landscaping and other works.

Selwyn Township Community Improvement Plan

In 2012, the former Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield developed a CIP for its commercial core areas in the Village of Lakefield and the Hamlets of Bridgenorth, Ennismore and Young's Point. 

In 2018, the Township of Selwyn's CIP underwent a 5 year review, which involved:

  • Reviewing the results of the existing incentive programs to determine uptake, effectiveness and any needed refinements;
  • Determining if any critical needs are not being met by the existing programs;
  • Identifying gaps or issues with regard to existing program content and administration;
  • Reviewing the existing Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) and areas outside of the current CIPA; and
  • Proposing incentive program revisions and additions and a revised CIPA as needed to address critical needs and gaps.

Complete the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Application

Available Business Incentives

Ground Sign Improvement Plan

Purpose: to promote the upgrading or replacement of commercial ground signage.

Ground Signage Improvement Grant Guidelines
Facade Improvement Grant

Purpose: to promote rehabilitation, restoration and improvement of the front, rear and side facades of commercial, institutional and mixed use buildings, including retail storefront display areas and business signage.

  • Commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties
  • Property owners and/or business owners
  • Storefront
    • Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible facade and storefront improvement and restoration works
    • $12,500 (excl. HST) maximum grant per property or project
    • Side and/or rear facade
    • Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible side and/or rear facade improvement and restoration works
    • $7,500 (excl. HST) maximum grant per property or project

Facade Improvement Grant Guidelines
Landscaping Improvement Grant

Purpose: to promote improved landscaping, driveway accesses and parking areas on private properties with particular emphasis on the public street edge in order to improve visual quality and create a more comfortable pedestrian environment.

  • Commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties
  • Property owners and/or business owners
  • Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible landscaping improvement restoration works
  • $5,000 (excl. HST) maximum grant per property or project

Landscaping Improvement Grant Guidelines
Urban Design Study Grant

Purpose: to help ensure professional urban design studies and architectural design drawings meet with CIP Design Guidelines and help offset costs of preparing professional drawings.

  • Commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties
  • Property owners and/or business owners
  • Grant equal to 50% of the cost of preparing professional urban design studies and architectural/design drawings
  • $2,500 (excl. HST) maximum grant per property or project
  • Maximum of one (1) urban design study grant per property/project 

Urban Design Study Grant Guidelines

Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan

In 2015, the Township of Selwyn and the Municipality of Trent Lakes completed a joint CIP for the Hamlet of Buckhorn.

The adopted Buckhorn CIP is for the commercial core area in the Hamlet of Buckhorn. The Municipality of Trent Lakes has adopted the same CIP guidelines on the opposite side of the bridge to pursue a cohesive approach to Buckhorn's beautification. The guidelines within the final CIP document are meant to assist and foster enhancements of buildings, properties, streets and keep with the overall desired vision and character of each area identified.

Learn more by visiting the Municipality of Trent Lakes' website

 

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