Community Improvement Plan 

The Community Improvement Plan (the 2015 CIP), approved November 17, 2014, offers four municipal financial incentive programs to the private sector to stimulate new investment in community renewal.

The financial incentive programs are intended to offset a portion of costs incurred by property owners in undertaking redevelopment projects, brownfield remediation projects, facade improvement projects, and residential/office conversion projects.

Guidelines for each of the programs, which set out plan details, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, complete application requirements, process, and which include Application Forms, are as follows:

• Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Program - for soil remediation and/or redevelopment projects.
• Brownfield Tax Assistance (BTA) Program - for remediation of contaminated soils.
• Facade Improvement (FIP) Program - building facade, store front enhancements.
• Residential / Office Conversion (ROC) Program - conversion of small, unused vacant space for new residential dwelling units or leasable office space.

Key Dates for Application Submission

If you have any questions regarding the financial incentive programs, please contact the Planning and Building Services Department at 905.688.5601 ext. 1660 or by email at pbs@stcatharines.ca.