ERIN – The town has announced grants to five businesses totalling $27,500 following the first intake of applications in the new Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
“I’m excited to see these projects commence,” said Economic Development Officer Robyn Mulder.
“They will continue to enhance the Town of Erin as a whole.”
Mayor Allan Alls said the incentives are “allowing local businesses to flourish and grow.” The grants are for projects that align with the town’s goals to promote beautification, property improvements and economic growth. Council approved $67,765 for various incentives.
Of that total, $47,765 was funded by the Main Street revitalization grant and has been allocated for: the planning application and building permit fees grant, the façade and signage improvement grant, the building improvement grant, and the design and study grant.
The remaining $20,000 allocated in the 2018 CIP budget will be used for the tax increment equivalent grant.
After the first intake period, Oct. 3 to Nov. 2, 2018, a panel of staff reviewed each application and awarded a total of $27,500 to the following businesses:
– Fan/Joy (restaurant): $2,500 design and study grant, $5,000 façade and signage grant, and $2,500 building improvement grant;
– Edward Jones (financial advice): $4,250 façade and signage grant and $1,750 building improvement grant;
– The Weathervane (store): $3,255 façade and signage grant and $100 planning applications and building permit fees grant;
– Devonshire House (accommodations): $2,500 building improvement grant;
– Erin Agricultural Society (Erin Fall Fair): $5,000 façade and signage grant and $750 planning application and building permit fees grant.
Good news – Jim and Audrey Devonshire, operators of the Devonshire Guest House and Spa on William Street, discuss their CIP grant with Mayor Allan Alls, centre. Submitted photo |
The maximum combined total that any project can receive is $10,000.
Grants are normally provided once the project is complete and receipts have been submitted.
Businesses invest in their own projects, which are to be completed within 12 months. The grants for façades, signage, building improvements and designs are for a maximum of 50% of the total costs.
The 2019 intake periods will end on March 29 and Sept. 27.
Businesses previously unsuccessful in obtaining a grant can resubmit their proposals.
All the different grants are available in each intake. None of the tax increment equivalent grant has been awarded so far.
It is designed to offset the tax increase due to higher property values after improvements. It can be up to 100 per cent of the tax increase, paid in decreasing amounts of 20 per cent per year for five years.
For more details, or to view the Community Improvement Plan go to erin.ca/communityimprovementplan or email ecdev@erin.ca.
