Community Improvement Plan

What is a Community Improvement Plan?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that encourages and leverages private investment by providing financial incentives to projects in geographically-specific areas of a municipality to promote physical improvements. It is the goal of community improvement planning to encourage revitalization, redevelopment and enhancement of defined areas.

In 2018, the Council of the Township of North Huron approved the development of a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Wingham and Blyth main streets. In 2019, the original plan was amended to add a second program and opportunity for applicants to apply for grants. The Project Area for the CIP was also expanded to include properties in the North Huron portion of Belgrave.

The North Huron Community Improvement Plan is a project of the Township of North Huron and is intended to promote long-term economic sustainability and welcoming attractive features in the downtowns of Wingham, Blyth, and Belgrave, Ontario. Through North Huron’s Community Improvement Plan, two grant programs are offered annually - the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program and the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program.

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program

The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program offers grants to eligible building owners and tenants for front and exterior side commercial façades, within the designated Wingham, Blyth and Belgrave Community Improvement Project Areas. This program promotes aesthetic and accessibility-related improvements to buildings that otherwise may not occur due to the cost premiums associated with these improvements.

Under the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program, preference is given to projects which clearly result in a distinct visual improvement.

Eligibility criteria for the Façade Improvement Grant Program are included in Appendix 1 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

Direct Grant for Structural Work Program

The Direct Grant for Structural Work Program offers grants to eligible landowners, businesses and developers that propose significant commercial, institutional, or residential projects that substantially renovate, restore, improve and upgrade a prominent building or structure within the designated Wingham, Blyth or Belgrave Community Improvement Project Areas. This grant program offers grants to eligible building owners and tenants to undertake significant structural work. This program promotes energy efficiency, increased safety, updated residential rental and commercial supply, and accessibility-related improvements to buildings that otherwise may not occur due to the cost premiums associated with these improvements.

Under the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program, preference is given to projects that demonstrate the highest community benefit by achieving the greatest number of the following goals:

• addresses structural and life safety issues to create usable and efficient floor space;
• improves property standards or preserves architectural significance;
• upgrades public infrastructure such as sanitary sewer, water, storm water drainage, roadway, sidewalks;
• preserves or enhances employment opportunities;
• creates affordable housing in a range of occupancies;
• enhances fire protection such as sprinkler systems, fire separations and similar;
• improves energy efficiency or reduces water and sewer needs;
• enhances urban design on and around the subject lands and adjacent public space as well as linkages to trails, parks, core areas and other focal points.
• supports planting, replacement and enhancement of healthy trees and landscaping; and,
• implements sound watershed planning practices that help mitigate, protect or reduce flooding impacts within the Maitland River watershed or other local or rural drainage areas.

Eligibility criteria for the Direct Grant for Structural Work Program are included in Appendix 2 of the North Huron Community Improvement Plan.

What is the Application Process? 

Step 1

Prior to submission of the completed Grant Application Form, applicants are required to arrange and participate in a pre-application consultation meeting with the Municipal Economic Development Officer. The purpose of this consultation meeting is to discuss and confirm application requirements, program eligibility, proposed scope of work, project timing, supporting documentation and any other requirements.

Step 2

Once a pre-consultation meeting is held, applicants will be directed to submit their completed application the Municipal Office.  Applications submitted must include all required information and supporting documentation.

Step 3

Once the application has been deemed complete by the Economic Development Officer, all applications are subject to review by the CIP Review Committee. The Committee will review the application against the program criteria and will make a recommendation in a report to Council to approve or deny the application.

Step 4

Council will consider the recommendation of the CIP Review Committee and will make the final decision on applications. There is no appeal of Council’s decision.

Step 5

If an applicant’s proposed project is approved by Council, the applicant has eighteen (18) months to complete the project as approved. No variations from the approved project are permitted without written approval from Council. Successful applicants will be required to obtain any necessary permits, as well as, enter into an agreement with the Township which will outline the terms, duration, default, and any other provisions of the grant program.

Step 6

Once complete, the applicant must provide the Economic Development Officer with copies of paid receipts for the work involved in the approved project. Provided the project is completed as approved and to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official, the Township’s Director of Finance will issue payment to the applicant to a maximum of the grant amount approved by Council.