CLIFFORD – Minto council approved a Structural Improvement Grant application for $11,700 for a downtown Harriston building at the Aug. 11 meeting.
A report from business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham indicates the grant is for improvements at 12 Elora Street by OSIM Interactive owners Glen and Jennifer Hall.
The report notes the Halls purchased the property in 2019 and moved their business in after “significant renovations.”
“This is phase two of their project and it includes a three-bedroom, second floor apartment,” explained Wick-Graham in the report.
Qualifying elements of the project total $36,300 and include framing, window replacement, insulation, a heat pump, electrical work, bathroom fixtures and roof repairs.
The report notes there is another $41,000 of work that is needed on the space but not eligible for funding.
“I think this is a great grant program,” commented deputy mayor Dave Turton. “I see it in the Wellington Advertiser that other communities are doing the same … and our downtowns are some of the oldest buildings in our community and when we look at helping somebody out it’s a great initiative.”
Councillor Mark MacKenzie questioned the use of funds for apartment renovations.
“I have trouble supporting money going to apartment buildings,” he said. “Creating apartments in our stores has nothing to do with commerce as far as I’m concerned.”
Wick-Graham stressed the program only supports apartment on second floor of downtown buildings.
“We don’t support anybody doing apartments on main floors,” she pointed out. “When people are looking at investing in a property downtown a big piece of that is getting income from the second floor.”
“One of the biggest issues we have – we’ve had it in Palmerston, we’ve had it Harriston – is rental accommodations,” said Mayor George Bridge. “And these are rental accommodations that have been left empty for years and this brought them back into the stream.”
“We can’t get enough people to build rentals, so this gives us a great opportunity.”
“Anything that incentives people to fix them up so they’re usable, that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Wick-Graham.
“There’s probably areas in town that aren’t on main streets need the lift too and we don’t provide that, so that could be discriminatory,” MacKenzie suggested.
A resolution to approve the application passed with only MacKenzie opposed.
