Community Improvement Plan

Please be advised that we are experiencing a high volume of applications and there is currently a 6-8 week waitlist for initial site visits. We encourage any prospective projects to submit an CIP Inquiry Form.

The Town of Halton Hills Community Improvement Plan (CIP) offers financial incentives to stimulate private sector investment and revitalization.

Halton Hills' CIP programs are designed to drive economic development and related priorities in the community including: Main Street Revitalization, Affordable Housing, Brownfield Redevelopment, Agri-Business, Heritage, Climate Change and Accessibility.

The Town's Economic Development division is currently accepting CIP Applications. Applications are accepted based on eligibility and available funding. See below an overview of available programs offered through the CIP.

Facade Improvement Grant

The Facade Improvement Grant supports facade (outside storefront) improvements and encourages private sector property owners in downtown commercial areas to implement aesthetic improvements to their property(ies) that otherwise may not occur.
Eligible Zoning: Downtowns (DC1 & DC2); Hamlet Commercial (HC & HCC); Development (D)
50% cost-matching up to $15,000 per property OR $25,000 for properties with more than one facade. $3,000 top-up for designated or listed heritage properties.
Learn more about Facade Improvement Grant

Building and Property Renovation Program

Grant (forgivable loan) to encourage the significant renovation of existing commercial, heritage and other non-residential and mixed-use buildings in downtown commercial areas, including the conversion of upper floor space to residential and/or office use. To promote functional improvements, accessibility, energy efficiency and consumption reduction, and upgrades to an older building stock.
Eligible Zoning: Downtowns (DC1 & DC2); Hamlet Commercial (HC & HCC); Development (D)
50% cost-matching up to $30,000 per property. Minimum project amount $15,000. Secured loan forgivable over 5 years at an annual forgiveness rate of 20%
Learn more about the Building and Property Renovation Program

Agricultural Building Renovation Grant Program

Grant (forgivable loan) to encourage the restoration, renovation, and improvement of existing agricultural buildings for ‘value-added’ agricultural uses. Supports on-farm diversification.
Eligible Areas: Rural farms with public access
50% cost-matching $25,000 per project Secured loan forgivable over 5 years at an annual forgiveness rate of 20%
Learn more about the Agricultural Building Renovation Grant Program

Commercial Property Accessibility and Energy Efficiency Enhancement Program

Grant program that assists existing commercial and commercial portions of mixed-use (commercial-at-grade) properties within the CIPA with the financing of accessibility improvements and energy retrofits. Includes two streams:
Stream A. Accessibility Improvements, 50% of eligible costs up to $5,000
Stream B. Energy Retrofit, 50% of eligible costs up to $7,500
Eligible Zoning: Town-wide for commercial properties
Learn more about the Property Accessibility and Energy Efficiency Enhancement Program

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant Program

Grant program that assists privately owned sites with a Phase I ESA, assistance to further specify extent and nature of environmental contamination through grant assistance of Phase II ESA study and development of any Remediation Action Plan.
Eligible Zoning: Town-wide for Brownfields per Phase I ESA
$20,000 per study (maximum 2 studies per project) or $35,000 per project
Learn more about the Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Program

Multi-stream Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Program

Leverages increased property tax assessment and helps reduce financial costs of property (re)development that meets strategic public/Town interests/ goals. Supports the Town’s objectives related to economic development, affordable housing, environmental improvements, productive re-use of brownfields, and continued investment in the historic downtowns of Acton and Georgetown. Includes four streams:

Stream A. Brownfields (Town-wide), 50% of municipal property tax increment or 10 years or dollar limit of eligible costs, whichever is reached first.

Stream B. Downtown Commercial, 50% of municipal property tax increment or 10 years or dollar limit of eligible costs, whichever is reached first.

Stream C. Affordable Rental Housing (Town-wide) ,100% of municipal property tax increment or 10 years or dollar limit of eligible costs, whichever is reached first

Stream D. Employment Areas (including eligible office development in the Premier Gateway) 50% of municipal property tax increment or 10 years or dollar limit of eligible costs, whichever is reached first

Fill out the CIP Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for this program

Planning Fees and Building Permit Grant

This program offers property owners with plans to develop new non-residential and new affordable rental housing (with six (6) or more units), a grant equivalent to a reduction in applicable planning and building permit fees. Such a grant may, in concert with other program support, help encourage new development efforts through reducing initial regulatory costs.
Eligible Zoning: Downtown Acton and Georgetown, Georgetown GO Station Lands, Employment Lands, Brownfields
50% cost-matching Planning Fees: $4,000 per property Building Permit Fees: $10,000 per property
Fill out the CIP Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for this program

Non-residential Development Charge (DC) Deferral Program – Interest Grant

To provide assistance for the significant (re)development of key sites by deferring the cost of development related to DCs. This program provides a grant to cover a portion of the interest charged through the Town’s non-residential DC deferral policy (CL-2012-0002) for the significant (re)development of key sites.
Eligible Zoning: Town-wide for non-residential development
Dovetail existing Town DC deferral policy by paying portion of interest bearing on the deferrals, up to $10,000
Fill out the CIP Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for this program

Affordable Housing Development Charge (DC) Related Program

This program aims to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing in Town. Program consists of a 20-year DC deferral, no interest (mirroring Halton Region’s DC policy)
Eligible Zoning: Town-wide for affordable housing projects
20-year deferral, interest free
Fill out the CIP Inquiry Form to determine eligibility for this program

For full eligibility, guidelines, and program details click here.

How to Apply:

Please note: proposed projects can not be in progress at the time of CIP Application. All purposed projects must have an intended start date after CIP Application has been approved.

Questions about the CIP Application process? Reach out to the Economic Development staff.

1. Review CIP available programs to determine interest and property eligibility.

2. Fill out the CIP Inquiry Form below and Economic Development staff will respond within 6 - 8 weeks.

CIP Inquiry Form

3. Economic Development staff will reach out to schedule a virtual call or site visit to determine program eligibility and gain project insight.

4. If eligible, Economic Development staff will provide Applicant CIP Application link via email along with the CIP Sworn Declaration to sign and include in Application.

5. Applicant submits CIP Application via online portal.

6. CIP Application is reviewed by Town CIP Committee within 3 - 5 weeks.

7. Upon CIP Application approval, CIP Agreement is sent to Applicant to review, sign, and return via electronic signature platform.

8. Application process is completed and work can begin on proposed project.

9. Applicant informs Economic Development staff that project is completed and submits final invoices.

10. Town CIP Committee reviews completed project documents and executes a site visit (if needed). Town issues payment for funding in accordance with CIP Agreement. *Eligible for Façade Improvement, Building and Renovation, Agricultural Building and Renovation, and Commercial Property Accessibility and Energy Efficiency Enhancement programs - Economic Development staff schedules cheque presentation and site visit with elected officials.*