Downtown
Downtowns are an important part of the economy and culture of Chatham-Kent. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent offers a variety of financial incentive programs designed to reduce costs for rehabilitation projects and improvements, and to stimulate private investment in the revitalization of Chatham-Kent's unique downtown areas.
The programs are offered for the downtown areas of Blenheim, Bothwell, Chatham, Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley.
The boundaries for these downtown areas are defined in the Downtown and Main Street Areas Community Improvement Plan (DCIP). All projects must be consistent with the goals of the DCIP, including buildings or rehabilitating lands.
Revitalization Programs
• Facade Improvements
• Residential Conversion & Rehabilitation
• Cafes, Patios, Display Areas and Court Yards
Rebate Programs
• Planning & Building Fee Rebate
• Development Charge Rebate
• Parkland Dedication Exemption
• Parking Standard Exemption
Tax Grant Programs
• Heritage Tax Relief
• Property Tax Increment Equivalent
Studies & Design Programs
• Project Feasibility Studies
• Heritage Design Studies
Facade Improvement
Grants and/or loans to commercial property owners for facade improvements. Grants for 50% of the construction costs to a maximum of $7,500. Where improvements are also being made to side or waterfront facades with a significant public view, the grant amount increases to $15,000. Interest-free loans, for 50% of the construction cost to a maximum loan of $20,000, are repayable over a 5 year period.
Back to Top
Residential Conversion & Rehabilitation
Grant and/or loans to property owners adding new residential units or improving existing residential units within existing commercial buildings. Grants for 50% of the construction cost, to a maximum of $5,000 per unit or $40,000 per application. Loans for 50% of construction cost, to a maximum of $10,000 per unit or $80,000 per application repayable over 5 years.
Back to Top
Cafes, Patios, Display Areas and Court Yards
Grants and/or loans to commercial property owners constructing cafes, patios, display areas or court yard accessory to the commercial use. Only one application can be made for a property. Grant amount is 50% of construction cost to a maximum grant of $10,000 per application. Maximum interest-free loan amount is 50% of construction cost to a maximum loan of $20,000 per application repayable over 5 years.
Back to Top
Planning & Building Fee Rebate
Rebates are available for Official Plan Amendments, Zoning By-Law Amendments, Minor Variances, Site Plan Applications, Demolition Permits and Building Permit Fees. Rebates for 100% of the application fees paid by the applicant are rebated following successful completion of the approved work.
Back to Top
Development Charge Rebate
Rebates of development charge fees for new residential units, improving buildings or rehabilitating lands. Rebates for 100% of development charges paid by the owner following the successful completion of the approved work.
Back to Top
Parkland Dedication Exemptions
Parkland dedication is waived or, if cash-in-lieu is being employed, these charges are rebated for new residential units, improving buildings or rehabilitating lands. Rebates for 100% of the cash equivalent paid by the owner following successful completion of the approved work.
Back to Top
Parking Standards Exemption
Parking standards are waived or, if cash-in-lieu is being employed, these charges are rebated for new residential units within existing spaces of a commercial building. Rebates for 100% of the cash equivalent paid by the owner following successful completion of the approved work.
Back to Top
Heritage Tax Relief
Grants for the reduction in the municipal portion of the property taxes to a designated heritage building for restoration and preservation work. Grants for 40% reduction in the municipal portion of post-restoration property taxes for 5 years following successful completion of approved work.
Back to Top
Property Tax Increment Equivalent
Rebate of the incremental increases in municipal portion of the property taxes as a result of building improvements, land rehabilitation and adding new residential units. Grants for 100% of the increase in the municipal portion of the property taxes resulting from reassessment of the property following rehabilitation for 5 years following successful completion of the approved work.
Back to Top
Project Feasibility Studies
Grants to property owners for the preparation of a feasibility study for downtown rehabilitation projects and/or Brownfield studies. Grants for 50% of the cost of the study to a maximum of $5,000.
Back to Top
Heritage Design Studies
Grants to a property owner for the preparation of a design study, for heritage restoration and preservation work, for designated heritage buildings or buildings listed by the Municipal Heritage Committee. Grants for 50% of the cost of a heritage design study, to a maximum of $1,500.
Back to Top
For more information, please contact the Economic Development Services at 1.866.542.5994 or 519.351.7700, or email CKeds@chatham-kent.ca.