Community Improvement Plan
Pembroke has a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to support community revitalization and to achieve economic, community planning, and urban development goals by encouraging private-sector investment.
The City offers 10 grant programs through the CIP which range in dollar value and project type. Most grants are focused on commercial, industrial, or multi-use developments and buildings, with one grant focusing on downtown upper-storey residential development.
General requirements
- Work being applied for must not begin until after the grant has been applied for and approved
- Applicants must submit two quotes for any work being done under the grants
- Applicants must not be in tax arrears or have any orders against their property from the fire or building departments in order to be eligible
- All applicants are first approved by the Community Improvement Panel and then City Council
- All expenses must be paid in full and receipts submitted prior to applicants being reimbursed
- If the applicant is not the property owner, the applicant must have written consent from the owner to apply
- Applicants can apply to multiple grants for one property, excluding the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant which cannot be combined with any other grant
- Entering into an agreement with the City is required
- Grants will only be paid out when the work has been completed and paid invoices are submitted to the City
- The subject property must be located in the CIP Project Area (City boundaries)
- A site visit may be required as part of the application and approval process
For a full list of program requirements, please contact us for a copy of the Community Improvement Plan.
Summary grant information
The following is an individual summary of each of the 10 grants under the Community Improvement Plan.
Accessibility Grant |
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Description: The Accessibility Grant is designed to assist businesses in improving the accessibility of their buildings in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Financial details: A grant of up to 50% to a maximum of $2,500 Find eligible costs and criteria on the Accessibility Grant information sheet. |
Affordable Housing Study Grant |
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Description: The Affordable Housing Study Grant promotes the development of new affordable living in Pembroke through the funding of background studies. Financial details: A grant of up to 50% to a maximum of $5,000 Find eligible costs and criteria on the Affordable Housing Study Grant information sheet. |
Brownfield Property Tax Assistance Program |
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Description: The purpose of this program is to encourage the remediation and rehabilitation of brownfield sites by providing a cancellation of part of all of the property tax increases on a property that is undergoing remediation. Financial details: The City may pass by-laws to provide a deferral of cancellation of all or a part of the municipal taxes on a brownfield site during the rehabilitation and development period. The City may also apply for provincial funding on behalf of the owner to cancel or freeze the education component of property taxes. Find eligible costs and criteria on the Brownfield Property Tax Assistance Program information sheet. |
Downtown Heritage Façade Improvement Grant |
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Description: This grant is designed to encourage aesthetic improvements to buildings and properties. This grant is for properties located in the Pembroke Business Improvement Area (PBIA). Those outside the PBIA can apply to the Façade Improvement Grant. Financial details: Up to 50% of the construction costs to a maximum of $5,000. Find eligible costs and criteria on the Downtown Heritage Façade Improvement Grant information sheet. |
Downtown Housing Grant |
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Description: The Downtown Housing Grant is intended to encourage the creation of new residential units in Downtown Pembroke and improve the condition of existing upper-storey residential units. Financial details: Grants will be equal to 50% of the construction cost of each unit to a maximum of $5,000 per unit, to a maximum of two units per address. Find eligible costs and criteria on the Downtown Housing Grant information sheet. |
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant |
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Description: The ESA Grant is intended to promote the undertaking of environmental studies to better understand the type of contamination of potential remediation costs for brownfield sites. Financial details: A grant equivalent to a maximum of 50% of the cost to a maximum of $3,000 per study; two studies per property/project; and $6,000 per property/project Find eligible costs and criteria on the ESA Grant information sheet. |
Façade Improvement Grant |
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Description: The Façade Improvement Grant is designed to encourage aesthetic improvements to buildings and properties. This grant is for properties that are not located in the Pembroke Business Improvement Area (PBIA). Those within the PBIA can apply to the Downtown Heritage Façade Improvement Grant. Financial details: Up to 50% of the construction costs to a maximum of $5,000 Find eligible costs and criteria on the Façade Improvement Grant information sheet. |
Planning and Building Permit Fee Grant |
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Description: The Planning and Building Permit Fee Grant is intended to encourage sensitive, attractive, and desirable infill development and redevelopment by reducing costs involved with making improvements to private property. Financial details: Planning Fee: A grant to a maximum of $2,500. Building Permit Fee: A grant to a maximum of $2,500. Grants can cover the cost of City fees up to 100% Find eligible costs and criteria on the Planning and Building Permit Fee Grant information sheet. |
Project Feasibility Study Rebate |
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Description: The Project Feasibility Study Rebate is designed to encourage potential business owners to explore the feasibility of building reuse, rehabilitation, or development/redevelopment of land. Financial details: A rebate equivalent to 50% of the cost of undertaking an eligibility study to a maximum of $5,000. Rebates will be awarded once a lease is signed or upon issuance of a building permit. Find eligible costs and criteria on the Project Feasibility Study Rebate information sheet. |
Tax Increment Equivalent Grant |
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Description: The Tax Increment Equivalent Grant is intended to encourage desirable and attractive infill development and redevelopment in the city. This grant cannot be combined with any other grant in this plan. Financial details: Grants will be equal to a percentage of the municipal tax increase resulting from the improvements and will be paid to the owner each year for a maximum of 10 years at the sole discretion of the City. Please see the full Community Improvement Plan for full details. Find eligible costs and criteria on the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant information sheet. |
Anyone interested in learning more about these grants or applying to them is strongly encouraged to contact the Economic Development and Communications Officer via email or at 613-735-6821 ext. 1500. Staff are available to meet in person or virtually with interested applicants to discuss their projects and walk through the application process.