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.

Community Improvement Plan (exclusive of Buckhorn)
Community Improvement Plan General Program Requirements

Business Incentives

Ground Signage Improvement Grant

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

Commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties
Property owners and/or business owners
Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible costs
$2,500 (excl. HST) maximum grant per property or project
Sign must meet the Community Improvement Plan General Program Requirements
Please refer to the Selwyn Township Sign By-law

Ground Signage Improvement Grant Guidelines

Façade 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

Complete the Community Improvement Plan Application

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

Economic Development Coordinator

Phone: (705) 292-9507
Email: ecdev@selwyntownship.ca