Community Improvement Plan

Business Location, Expansion, and Start-Up Grant 

The Business Location, Expansion, and Start-Up Grant encourages new and existing businesses to expand and locate within the Uptown Leamington Community Improvement Project Area in order to help foster and develop successful businesses within uptown Leamington. The Municipality will provide a grant of 50% of the costs per registered business for the duration of the approved plan (2012-2024), up to a maximum of $5,000 to assist business owners to expand or relocate within the Uptown Leamington Community Improvement Project Area. 

Renovation Grant Program

The Renovation Grant Program provides financial assistance to upgrade, rehabilitate and redevelop commercial, mixed-use, or residential buildings. These upgrades also improve safety by bringing buildings into compliance with current Ontario Building Code requirements.

This program also encourages the conversion of second-floor storage to residential units, and retrofitting for energy efficiency. The Municipality will provide a grant of 25% of the costs of the renovations to a maximum of $15,000 per property.

Building Exterior and Façade Improvement Grant 

The Building Exterior and Façade Improvement Grant Program provides grants to improve the appearance of the front and/or rear facades. Eligible work includes on-site improvements to provide accessible walkways and permanent landscaping that contributes to the streetscape. The Municipality will provide a grant of 50% of the cost of the works to a maximum of $15,000. 

Sidewalk Café Grant Program

The Sidewalk Café Grant Program provides property owners and tenants with financial assistance to design and construct a temporary sidewalk in place of on-street public parking spaces to allow for a sidewalk café or patio on the right-of-way to enhance Uptown eating establishments and encourage street-level pedestrian activity. The Municipality will provide a grant of 50% of the costs per establishment for the duration of the approved plan (2012-2024), up to a maximum of $2,000 to assist with fees related to the design of the sidewalk café. 

Municipal Fees Grant Program 

The Municipal Fees Grant Program is intended to assist owners with financing the cost of the development process by providing a grant to offset the amount of the applicable planning and building fees. The Municipality will provide a grant of 100% of the applicable application or permit fees paid by the applicant to a maximum of $2,000 per property for the duration of the approved plan (2012-2024). 

• The Municipality of Leamington must approve the application and finalize an agreement before any construction can begin.
• Before approval of any applications, the Municipality shall conduct a property standards inspection, Building Code inspection, and a fire inspection. The project must comply with the Municipality's By-laws.
• Depending on the cost of projects, the applicant may apply for more than one CIP grant.
• Grants will be distributed upon completion of the approved work and documentation of the costs. The Municipality must first review and approve these documents.
• The subject property must be located within the Uptown Leamington Community Improvement Project Area. Assistance granted through any of the financial incentives to a particular property is not transferable to any other program or property. If a property is under a grant application at the time of sale, the application is transferable to the new property owner.
• The Municipality reserves the right to increase or decrease the total amount of funding associated with any of the incentives. The Municipality may also undertake an audit of work done and associated costs if it is deemed necessary.
• Once a grant is approved, the Municipality will conduct the required inspections.

The Applicant must:

• Be the registered property owner of the address;
• Not be in arrears of property tax or any other municipal financial obligation and has not defaulted under any past or current municipal programs; and

• Enter into an agreement with the Municipality. This agreement must be signed and approved before the start of construction.

Pre-consultation

Contact the Leamington Planning Department to discuss whether your project is eligible.

Collect Quotes

A description of the eligible work along with the estimated costs must be attached to your online application. There must be a minimum of two estimates from qualified contractors.

Submit Complete Application

The online application is available at leamington.ca/CIP. Make sure you fill out all applicable information and upload the necessary paperwork.

Application Review

Applications will be evaluated and awarded based on the project’s ability to meet the CIP goals, the overall economic impact, and the viability of the proposed project.

Agreement

If your application is selected by the committee, the Municipality will draft a formal agreement.

Complete Work and Conduct Inspections

The Municipality will conduct multiple inspections at different stages.

Submit Paid Receipts of Work

Submit a list of paid invoices or receipts and proof of payments.

Receive your funding

The Municipality will review the submitted package and issue payment.