Community Improvement Plan

For Questions Contact:

Morgan Calvert |

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

mcalvert [at] adelaidemetcalfe.on.ca

|

(519) 247-3687

ext.

8204

What is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A Community Improvement Plan or CIP is a powerful policy tool used by Ontario municipalities to facilitate the (re)development, rehabilitation, and/or revitalization of selected areas in a municipality. These plans are typically developed to address key issues such as main street upgrades, tourism, site redevelopment, or affordable housing provision within a priority area, known as a Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA). A CIP will outline a vision for improvement of the CIPA, and employ the methods/powers outlined under Section 28 of the Planning Act to realize that vision.

One of the most common functions of a CIP is the provision of financial incentives specifically tailored to encourage property owners or tenants to undertake improvement projects that are aligned with the vision of the plan. Without a CIP, municipalities are prohibited from offering financial assistance to the private sector in any way. In addition to financial incentive programs, a CIP also typically identifies specific municipal projects, policies, or initiatives to be pursued by a municipality, at the discretion of their council. These public-facing initiatives are generally intended to complement the private investment focus of a CIP, allowing councils to lead by example in working towards the plan’s vision.

The Township of Adelaide Metcalfe has implemented a Township-wide Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
The CIP provides a selection of financial incentive programs to encourage property or building owners to undertake improvement projects that are aligned with the goals and vision of the plan.
The CIP is funding on an annual basis through the Municipal Budget process
Please note that not all of the financial incentives and funding mechanisms outlined in the CIP will be available every year

Available Documents

Adelaide Metcalfe Community Improvement Plan
Adelaide Metcalfe Community Improvement Plan - Background Report
2025 Community Improvement Plan Application (Fillable PDF)
2025 Community Improvement Plan Application (Print Version)
- Applicants must schedule a pre-consultation prior to application submission. Funding levels based on annual budget process.
- The intake period for the 2025 Community Improvement Plan applications is now Open.

2025 Available Financial Incentive Programs

Program	Summary
Countryside Construction Cost Matching Grant Professional Fees Matching Grant Building and Planning Fee Grant	to support the establishment and / or improvement of value- added agricultural businesses, agri-tourism operations, recreational tourism, and related home-based businesses outside of more ‘traditional’ CIP areas. Not intended to fund general ag-uses; livestock operations, dairy farms, horticulture, etc.)
Facade & Signage Construction Cost Matching Professional Fees Matching Building and Planning Fee Grant	to assist with the financing of improvements to one or more facades of a non-residential building. This program will support stronger main street and primary corridor area streetscapes where improvements on multiple sites can have a compound improvement effect to achieve a more cohesive vision for beautification.
Site Beautification Construction Cost Matching Professional Fees Matching Building and Planning Fee Grant	to encourage improvements to sites on which a non-residential use/business is located. The grants in the program will support improvements such as landscaping / hardscaping, improvements to pedestrian and vehicular access and parking areas, the introduction of bike parking, or other permanent site elements apart from the building that improve the overall visual quality and/or function of the site.
Accessibility Construction Cost Matching Professional Fees Matching Building and Planning Fee Grant	to assist building and business owners with upgrades or improvements to improve barrier-free accessibility or code compliance / performance. These improvements are often necessary where buildings were constructed prior to modern code / accessibility requirements for a given use, wherein upgrades can be costly and even present barriers to revitalizing a building/establishing a business.
Conversion, Expansion, and Redevelopment Construction Cost Matching Professional Fees Matching Building and Planning Fee Grant	to support private sector investment in the redevelopment, renovation, and/or expansion of commercial and mixed-use buildings (generally interior) to improve their viability for accommodating a new or expanded commercial/service activity.