Community Improvement Plan

The Town of Halton Hills Community Improvement Plan (CIP) offers financial incentives to stimulate private sector investment and revitalization.

The current CIP was initially created in 2010 and includes programs that have been tailored to address key community improvement issues including brownfield redevelopment and mainstreet revitalization. The Town is currently undertaking a comprehensive review and update of its CIP, which is expected to launch in early 2022. For more information on the CIP update project, visit the CIP update page.

Cheque Presentation in front of Whimsy Street Treats

General Program Requirements

The following are General Program Requirements that must be met by all applications for assistance under the programs in this CIP. These requirements must be read in association with the program-specific eligibility criteria for each program.

The General Program Requirements for each application for CIP programs include:

Applications for any financial incentive program in the CIP must be submitted to the Town prior to the commencement of any work or study to which the financial incentive program applies
If the applicant is not the owner of the property, the applicant must provide written consent from the property owner to make the application
All improvements made to buildings and/or land shall be made pursuant to a Building Permit, and/or other required permits, and constructed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code and all applicable zoning requirements and planning approvals
When required by the Town, outstanding work orders, and/or orders or requests to comply, and/or other charges from the Town (including tax arrears) must be satisfactorily addressed prior to grant, loan and/or tax assistance approval/payment
Eligible applicants can apply more than one incentive programs contained in the CIP, but no two programs may be used to pay for the same eligible cost. The total of all grants and loans provided in respect of the particular property for which an applicant is making application cannot exceed the maximum eligible costs indicated in the CIP program guidelines

View All General Program Requirements

Current CIP Programs

Please see the list below for the range of incentive programs Halton Hills offers through its CIP. For more information on CIP programs and to determine your project's eligibility, fill out the CIP Inquiry Form and an Economic Development staff member will respond promptly.

CIP Inquiry Form

Facade Improvement Grant

The Facade Improvement Grant provides a 50% (Georgetown) or 70% (Acton) grant up to a maximum amount, for eligible facade improvement and restoration works to commercial, institutional and mixed use buildings. Facade Improvement Grants are eligible for businesses located in specific areas of Georgetown and Acton. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant

The Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant provides a 50% matching grant for eligible environmental studies. Applicants can apply for up to two studies per project. Eligible studies include Phase II ESAs, Designated Substances and Hazardous Materials Surveys, Remedial Work Plans, and Risk Assessments. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Residential / Retail Conversion Grant

Residential Conversion

The Residential Conversion component provides a grant equivalent to the cost of rehabilitating existing residential units and/or constructing new residential units on upper stories on the basis of $15 per square for to a maximum of $15,000 and 4 units per project.

Retail Conversion

Retail Conversion component provides a grant equivalent to the cost of physical improvements required to convert vacant non-retail ground floor commercial space to retail commercial space on the basis of $15 per square foot to a maximum of $15,000 per project.

Comprehensive Planning Grant

The Comprehensive Planning Grant provides a 50% matching grant for the cost of preparing comprehensive draft plans and professional urban design studies and drawings required by the Town. Comprehensive Planning Grants are eligible for businesses located in the Georgetown Community Node, Downtown Georgetown and Downtown Acton. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Building Improvement Loan

The Building Improvement Loan provides a no-interest loan equivalent to 70% of the cost of eligible interior and exterior improvement works to commercial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings. Building Improvement Loans are eligible for businesses located in the Georgetown Community Node and in Acton. The loan is repayable over a period of 5 years and the Town requires that the security of the loan is registered on title against the property. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Agricultural Grants

Agricultural Feasibility Study / Business Plan Grant

The Agricultural Feasibility Study / Business Plan Grant provides a matching grant of 50% of the cost of an eligible feasibility study or business plan to a maximum grant of $7,500. The purpose of this grant is to promote the undertaking of project feasibility studies that determine if existing agricultural/rural buildings and facilities can be converted or adapted for on-farm diversification and value-added agricultural uses. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Agricultural Buildings and Facilities Improvement Loan

The Agricultural Buildings and Facilities Improvement Loan provides a no-interest loan equivalent to 70% of the cost of eligible improvement works to agricultural/rural properties up to a maximum loan per project of $20,000. The loan is repayable over a 5 year period and the Town requires that the security for the loan be registered on title against the property. Applications must be approved before work is started.

Landscape Improvement Grant

The Landscape Improvement Grant provides a grant equal to 50% of the cost of eligible fencing, landscaping and planting on industrial properties in the Georgetown and Acton Industrial Parks. Projects must sufficiently improve the aesthetics of industrial sites, and/or provides effective screening of outside storage areas so as to mitigate the visual impact of industrial uses. The maximum grant per property is $12,500.