The Municipality of Kincardine's new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) helps to attract investment and foster economic growth in the community.

Developing a CIP

A CIP is a planning and economic development tool that municipalities may use to facilitate broad community revitalization goals through grants or loans to private property owners and tenants.

The Purpose of a CIP

The new Community Improvement Plan allows the municipality to provide a range of incentives to promote and support the following types of development and revitalization projects aligned with many of the priorities at the County and Municipal level, including:

Downtown revitalization of store fronts and streetscapes; reduction of vacant storefronts;
Increase affordable/attainable housing stock in the Municipality;
Promote the development of vacant or underutilized properties and encourage/attract investment;
Increase agricultural value-add, agri-tourism, and facility improvement projects.

Each year the Municipality will select the priority area(s) of focus with the applicable incentives and allocated specific municipal funding to support the program. Note that not all incentives and priorities in the CIP will be implemented each year.

How the new CIP was developed

The new CIP was developed through a series of community consultations including an open house, an online survey, and, finally, a statutory public meeting.

The meeting was held on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 at 5 p.m. in the council chambers of the Municipal Administration Centre to consider a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) update pursuant to provisions under Section 28(4) of the Planning Act.

A notice of Notice of Decision resulting from that meeting was issued as required.

CIP Areas and Funding

The CIP applies to all lands within the Municipality of Kincardine, with focused zones for downtown Kincardine and Tiverton.

Predevelopment Study and Design Program

The Municipality of Kincardine is now launching the Predevelopment Study and Design Program as part of its Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This program provides matching financial support to help cover the cost of studies, plans, and designs needed to advance your development or redevelopment project.

This initiative supports the Municipality’s broader efforts to:

Revitalize downtown cores
Encourage mixed-use development
Increase the supply of attainable and workforce housing
Reduce barriers to private investment
Prepare sites for growth through better planning and design

What is the purpose of the Predevelopment Study and Design Program?

This program is designed to offset the costs associated with preparing necessary plans, drawings, or designs that outline the extent of improvements being applied for. These upfront costs can often delay or prevent good projects from moving forward, especially in smaller or more complex sites.

What are the eligible areas?

Projects must be located within the Municipality’s Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) as outlined in Schedule A-1 of the CIP.

Properties located in Downtown Kincardine and Downtown Tiverton, particularly those proposing mixed commercial-residential development, will be given priority consideration, as per Council direction.

However, projects outside of these downtown areas are still eligible and encouraged to apply.

What is the eligibility criteria?

To apply, your project must:

Be located within the municipal-wide CIPA
Comply with relevant streetscape, façade, or design guidelines established by the Municipality
Align with the general eligibility criteria set out in the CIP

What are some examples of the types of eligible predevelopment work?

Architectural or engineering plans
Site plans for building improvements
Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
Business development-related studies, such as: feasibility studies traffic impact studies, and market analyses
Any other study or design work that supports the goals of the CIP, subject to municipal approval

What are the financial incentive details?

The Municipality may provide a matching grant of up to 50% of eligible net costs.

The grant may be paid in two installments:

25% after completion of the approved study or design
25% after final inspection or upon completion of the related project

Bruce County may participate in this program, subject to Bruce County Council approval.

What is the application process?

The program will run from July, 2025 until the end of December, 2025
Application materials are available here and through the Economic Development Office.
Applications will be reviewed using a formal evaluation matrix based on eligibility and alignment with local priorities.
Final decisions on funding will be made by Council.

Apply today!

Spruce the Bruce funding opens on February 1st, 2025!

The Municipality of Kincardine provides funding and works cooperatively with Bruce County to create opportunities for commercial properties in the CIP areas. Bruce County administers this funding through their Spruce the Bruce grant programming.

Grants available for eligible businesses and property owners:

Note: Properties must be located within a Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) identified under an active Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

Explore downtown Spruce the Bruce grants

Downtown Kincardine's CIP Area

Commercial properties within the area designated on Kincardine's CIP area map may be eligible for specific funding opportunities.

Downtown Tiverton's CIP Area

Commercial properties within the area designated on Tiverton's CIP area map may be eligible for specific funding opportunities.

Grants available for eligible municipalities, community partners, not-for-profits and charitable organizations

Note: Communities must have a community brand toolkit in place to be eligible, like Kincardine’s Community Toolkit and Tiverton’s Façade Improvement Guidelines.

Discover Spruce the Bruce funding opportunities

For more information

For more information on the CIP and to learn about available grants and loans, please e-mail us or call 519-396-3468.