A draft community improvement plan (CIP) presented to Erin council on July 10 outlines how grants will be awarded in the community.
The CIP is a tool for the town to improve areas through grants within the identified areas, said economic development officer Robyn Mulder.
The three goals of the CIP are to revitalize the town, reshape the town and show the town is “open for business.”
The entire town has been identified in the CIP, with four sub-areas in Erin and Hillsburgh, as well as the hamlets and agricultural areas, in order to respond to unique needs and opportunities in the areas, said Mulder.
Because the entire town is included in the CIP, it enables the whole town to access Wellington County’s Invest Well CIP program.
“Not all of the programs will be available in any given year of implementation,” said Mulder. “Town of Erin staff and council will determine which programs will be available based on Town of Erin goals, priorities and funding availability.”
There are 11 incentives available, including:
– design and study grant;
– planning application and building permit fee rebate;
– façade and signage improvement grant;
– downtown housing grant;
– commercial conversion grant;
– building improvement grant;
– parking and landscaping improvement grant;
– accessibility improvement grant;
– public art grant;
– tax increment equivalent grant; and
– provincial brownfield financial tax incentive grant.
Mulder clarified the grants are not handouts to businesses.
“[The businesses] have to show they are making a decent investment and that is part of our criteria,” she said.
Mulder explained an annual report to council will highlight the program’s previous year as well as recommend adjustments, amendments, incentives and budgets for the next year.
Councillor Jeff Duncan said, “The document itself, … is kind of dry, but what it means for the community is good. It really sets up some investment opportunities.”
He asked if a community member could be added to the CIP committee, but councillor Rob Smith said that wasn’t a good idea.
“If you put somebody in there from the chamber of commerce or who owns a business, all of a sudden they are in a conflict,” he said.
“You want to bring people in that are involved in businesses and such, but they’re also the same people who are trying to apply.”
Council accepted the draft for information and will provide feedback to Mulder.
Councillor Matt Sammut was absent.
The town will host a public meeting on the CIP on Aug. 14. It will be brought to council on Sept. 4 for adoption.
