Community Improvement Plan
The Town of New Tecumseth's Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program promotes the conservation, enhancement, and beautification of buildings and properties in the historic downtowns of Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham through development incentive grants and loans.
Funding for Downtown Businesses and Properties
Funding for Major Developments
Funding for Residential Developments
Through the CIP, the communities of Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham will continue to be thriving, attractive, and affordable centres for commerce, residence, service, and tourism for New Tecumseth residents and visitors, fostering community pride and promoting each community’s unique heritage and character.
Our Community Improvement Plan Signage Grant Pamphlet provides guidelines for New Business Signage in our Downtown Areas. Please find a link to the guidelines here.
Funding for Downtown Businesses and Properties
Facade, Building and Property Improvement Grant | ||||||||
This grant is a “one-stop shop” that encourages improvements to building façade elements, upgrades to buildings to meet building code and accessibility requirements, updated signage, awnings and lighting, and encourage landscaping and private parking area improvements. The purpose of this grant is to ensure greater longevity and viability of buildings in the Town’s downtown cores, restore historic character, and contribute significantly to the beautification of New Tecumseth’s downtown areas. In return, this will help to attract new business and residents into our downtown core, increase tourism and investment, and ensure vitality. Grant valuesThe maximum grant value for the eligible costs per property are:
Each property is permitted a total of $50,000 of funding for these grants, over the lifetime of this Plan. Please see our Signage Guide Brochure here. Eligible propertiesAll commercial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B. Eligible costs
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Downtown Residential Improvement Grant | ||||||||
This grant encourages the development or improvement of residential units in the upper storeys or rear of mixed-use buildings. This program is intended to increase the number of residential units in the downtown areas. Grant value50% of the eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 per residential unit, whichever is less. A maximum of four (4) units shall be eligible per property, to a maximum of $20,000 per property. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. Eligible propertiesAll existing mixed-use buildings within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B, where zoning permits, are eligible for this grant. The ground floor of the building must be used for non-residential uses (e.g. commercial, office or institutional). Please note, those residential units adjacent to or with access from Dominion Street and the Dominion Street municipal parking lot are only eligible for upgrades to existing units. Eligible costs
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Commercial At-Grade Conversion Grant | ||||||||
This grant assists with the conversion of space from a commercial or non-commercial use to a different commercial use. It is intended to provide flexibility and encourage the continued use of commercial spaces in the downtown area. Grant value50% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000, whichever is less. Eligible propertiesExisting ground floor commercial uses (which are proposed for conversion to another commercial use) or existing ground floor non-commercial uses which are proposed for conversion to a commercial use within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B, where zoning permits. Eligible costs
Costs that are not eligible for funding include:
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Public Art Grant | ||||||||
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant encourages the inclusion of permanent art programming such as mural work, sidewalk art, commemoration, and custom site amenities, into community spaces. Grant value75% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $3,000, whichever is less. Eligible propertiesAll properties within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B. Properties outside of the delineated downtown area, but within the Urban Settlement Area Boundaries of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham (see Schedule A), may be considered by Council based on their community impact. Eligible costs
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Privately-Owned Public Spaces (POPS) Grant | ||||||||
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant supports the revitalization of privately owned outdoor areas that are often used by members of the public and are perceived to be public spaces. Grant value75% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000, whichever is less. Eligible propertiesAll properties within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B, that have areas of their property in which members of the public pass through or pause for rest or to socialize. Examples of these spaces include:
This grant does not support areas directly related to the property’s main use (e.g. patio for a restaurant). Eligible costs
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Heritage Grant | ||||||||
This grant is available for the Beeton Heritage Conservation District only.This grant assists property owners in the maintenance and repair of identified historical features on buildings that have been designated as contributing properties within the Beeton Heritage Conservation District (upon its approval). Grant value50% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $3,000, whichever is less. Eligible propertiesThose properties identified as contributing properties within the Beeton Heritage Conservation District (upon its approval). Eligible costsAll contributing properties within the Beeton Heritage Conservation District may be eligible to receive a grant toward the conservation and restoration of the heritage features of their properties, as described in the Beeton Heritage Conservation District Plan. |
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Catalytic Development Grant |
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Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant encourages the development and redevelopment of pre-selected properties where there will be a significant increase in social and economic benefits to the community as a result of the proposal. This grant is administered as a tax increment equivalency grant (TIEG). A TIEG helps to reduce tax increases as a barrier to property investment and helps make development and redevelopment of pre-selected properties an attractive opportunity. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase that results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of Council. In year one, the value of the grant may equal up to 100% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. A payment period of 10 years will be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. The total grant value includes eligible costs under the Province of Ontario's Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program, where applicable. Those values identified under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are considered separately from the Catalytic Development Criteria. Eligible costs incurred under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are eligible for tax assistance of all or part of the Municipal and education taxes on a brownfield site during the rehabilitation period. Eligible propertiesOnly those properties, as described in Schedule C, are eligible for this grant. Eligible properties must include properties where a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) has been conducted, and that as of the date the Phase II ESA was completed, did not meet the required standards under subparagraph 4i of Section 168.4(1) of the Environmental Protection Act to permit a Record of Site Condition (RSC) for the proposed use to be filed in the Environmental Site Registry. Eligible costs
Eligible Costs for those properties requiring brownfield remediation as part of the Brownfield Remediation Tax Assistance, as identified in Section 365.1 of the Municipal Act:
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Funding for Major Developments
Catalytic Development Grant |
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant encourages the development and redevelopment of pre-selected properties where there will be a significant increase in social and economic benefits to the community as a result of the proposal. This grant is administered as a tax increment equivalency grant (TIEG). A TIEG helps to reduce tax increases as a barrier to property investment and helps make development and redevelopment of pre-selected properties an attractive opportunity. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase that results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of Council. In year one, the value of the grant may equal up to 100% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. A payment period of 10 years will be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. The total grant value includes eligible costs under the Province of Ontario's Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program, where applicable. Those values identified under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are considered separately from the Catalytic Development Criteria. Eligible costs incurred under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are eligible for tax assistance of all or part of the Municipal and education taxes on a brownfield site during the rehabilitation period. Eligible propertiesOnly those properties, as described in Schedule C, are eligible for this grant. Eligible properties must include properties where a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) has been conducted, and that as of the date the Phase II ESA was completed, did not meet the required standards under subparagraph 4i of Section 168.4(1) of the Environmental Protection Act to permit a Record of Site Condition (RSC) for the proposed use to be filed in the Environmental Site Registry. Eligible costs
Eligible Costs for those properties requiring brownfield remediation as part of the Brownfield Remediation Tax Assistance, as identified in Section 365.1 of the Municipal Act:
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Business Development Grant |
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant is intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate new investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying New Tecumseth’s economy. It will also apply to projects that demonstrate a major investment resulting in a significant positive impact on the local economy and workforce. This grant is administered as a tax increment equivalency grant (TIEG). A TIEG helps to reduce tax increases as a barrier to property investment and help make investing in the Town’s Employment Areas an attractive opportunity. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase which results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of Council. In year one, the value of the grant may equal up to 100% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. In no case shall the total value of all grants issued over the grant period exceed 100% of the eligible costs of the project. A payment period of 10 years will be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. Eligible propertiesAll properties located within the limits of the Urban Settlement Boundaries of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham (see Schedule A) and designated Employment Area 1 and 2, as identified in the Town’s Official Plan. Eligible costs
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Rental Development Grant |
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant incentivizes the development of purpose-built rental dwelling units and affordable dwelling units within the Town. This grant is administered as a tax increment equivalency grant (TIEG). A TIEG helps to reduce tax increases as a barrier to property investment and helps make the development purpose-built rental dwelling units an attractive opportunity. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase which results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of the Review Committee. The maximum value of the grant may equal up to 80% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. Should the proposal contain a minimum of 20% of the total proposed dwelling units as affordable units, as defined in this Plan and in accordance with the provincial definition of affordable units, the applicant may be eligible for an additional 20% of relief to a maximum of 100%. In no case shall the total value of all grants issued over the grant period exceed 100% of the eligible costs of the project. A payment period of 10 years shall be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. Eligible propertiesAll properties located within the limits of the Urban Settlement Boundaries of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham (see Schedule A), that are zoned to permit this use. Eligible costsThe following list of eligible costs directly relate to the development of new rental dwelling units only. The grant does not apply to any works related to commercial or institutional components of a mixed-use development proposal.
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Funding for Residential Developments
Downtown Residential Improvement Grant |
This grant encourages the development or improvement of residential units in the upper storeys or rear of mixed-use buildings. This program is intended to increase the number of residential units in the downtown areas. Grant value50% of the eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 per residential unit, whichever is less. A maximum of four (4) units shall be eligible per property, to a maximum of $20,000 per property. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. Eligible propertiesAll existing mixed-use buildings within the delineated downtown area, as described in Schedule B, where zoning permits, are eligible for this grant. The ground floor of the building must be used for non-residential uses (e.g. commercial, office or institutional). Please note, those residential units adjacent to or with access from Dominion Street and the Dominion Street municipal parking lot are only eligible for upgrades to existing units. Eligible costs
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Rental Development Grant |
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant incentivizes the development of purpose-built rental dwelling units and affordable dwelling units within the Town. This grant is administered as a tax increment equivalency grant (TIEG). A TIEG helps to reduce tax increases as a barrier to property investment and helps make the development purpose-built rental dwelling units an attractive opportunity. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase which results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of the Review Committee. The maximum value of the grant may equal up to 80% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. Should the proposal contain a minimum of 20% of the total proposed dwelling units as affordable units, as defined in this Plan and in accordance with the provincial definition of affordable units, the applicant may be eligible for an additional 20% of relief to a maximum of 100%. In no case shall the total value of all grants issued over the grant period exceed 100% of the eligible costs of the project. A payment period of 10 years shall be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. Eligible propertiesAll properties located within the limits of the Urban Settlement Boundaries of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham (see Schedule A), that are zoned to permit this use. Eligible costsThe following list of eligible costs directly relate to the development of new rental dwelling units only. The grant does not apply to any works related to commercial or institutional components of a mixed-use development proposal.
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Catalytic Development Grant |
Application deadline: May 1, 2024This grant encourages the development and redevelopment of pre-selected properties where there will be a significant increase in social and economic benefits to the community as a result of the proposal. Grant valueThe grant value will be a percentage of the municipal tax increase that results from the improvements to the property (i.e. the tax increment). The grant will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years or less, at the discretion of Council. In year one, the value of the grant may equal up to 100% of the tax increment. In subsequent years, the value of the grant shall decrease until it reaches 0% of the tax increment. A payment period of 10 years will be the maximum with the grants being incrementally reduced over the grant period. The grant will be paid only upon completion of the project, to the satisfaction of the Town. The applicant will be responsible for paying the full value of property taxes in any given year. The grants will be issued annually upon full payment of property taxes. The total grant value includes eligible costs under the Province of Ontario's Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program, where applicable. Those values identified under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are considered separately from the Catalytic Development Criteria. Eligible costs incurred under the Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program are eligible for tax assistance of all or part of the Municipal and education taxes on a brownfield site during the rehabilitation period. Eligible propertiesOnly those properties, as described in Schedule C, are eligible for this grant. Eligible properties must include properties where a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) has been conducted, and that as of the date the Phase II ESA was completed, did not meet the required standards under subparagraph 4i of Section 168.4(1) of the Environmental Protection Act to permit a Record of Site Condition (RSC) for the proposed use to be filed in the Environmental Site Registry. Eligible costs
Eligible Costs for those properties requiring brownfield remediation as part of the Brownfield Remediation Tax Assistance, as identified in Section 365.1 of the Municipal Act:
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What is the application process?
For Facade, Building, and Property Improvement Grants of less than $5,000:
- Submit an Expression of Interest form
- Discuss your project with Town staff to determine eligibility
- Submit an Application Form
- Town staff review application
- Approval of grant if eligibility criteria are met and program budget permits
For all other grants:
- Submit an Expression of Interest form
- Attend a pre-consultation meeting with Town staff
- Submit an Application Form
- Town staff review application
- Town staff report presented to Council
- Council decision
Alliston Business Improvement Area:
Businesses within the Alliston Business Improvement Area (ABIA) may be eligible for additional funding from the ABIA Board for the following CIP programs:
- Facade, Building and Property Improvement Grant
- Downtown Residential Improvement Grant
- Commercial At-Grade Conversion Grant
- Public Art Grant
- Privately-Owned Public Spaces Grant
Prior to undertaking any work, contact ABIA at info@allistonbia.com learn more about the funding available and the application process.