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Community Revitalization Grants
On July 13, 2026, South Huron Council adopted the 2026 Community Improvement Plan Programs under By-law number 44-2026 and designated the entire Municipality a Community Improvement Plan Project Area under By-law 43-2026. Community Improvement Plans are enabled under the authority of Section 28 of the Planning Act and the Municipal Act, 2001.
What is a Community Improvement Plan?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool used by a municipality to target an area for strategic improvement and allows the municipality to provide financial incentive grants to boost local investment and promote community revitalization. This CIP includes various incentive programs based on Council direction, staff research and community needs and input. The goal of the CIP is to support local property owners through financial incentive programs that seek to promote economic growth, community revitalization and improve the quality of life for residents.
The Community Improvement Plan provides grant opportunities for residential, commercial and industrial property owners within South Huron.
The entire Municipality of South Huron is designated as the Community Improvement Project Area.
For background information on the development of the CIP, refer to the CIP Project Page here.
Questions? Contact cip@southhuron.ca or 519-235-0310 ext. 241
Application intake: Applications will be accepted starting August 1st, 2026
Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis to the limit of the available funding for the calendar year.
Note: If you are not the registered owner of the property, please complete the owner's authorization form to accompany your application.
Current Financial Incentive Programs Available:
General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for any of the Financial Incentive Programs (5.1-5.5), applicants must meet the criteria as set out in section 6.0 of the CIP. The General Eligibility Requirements must be read in association with the program specific eligibility and program details.
View the General Eligibility Requirements here.
5.1. Façade And Signage Improvement and Rear Parking Lot Grant (Mainstreet Revitalization)
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 or 50% of eligible project costs (whichever is less)
Eligible Projects:
Find the full program details here: Façade and Signage Improvement and Rear Parking Lot Grant
5.2. Accessibility Improvement Grant
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 or 75% of eligible project costs (whichever is less)
Eligible Projects:
Find the full program details here: Accessibility Improvement Grant
5.3. Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Grant/Building Climate Change Adaptation Grant
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 or 50% of eligible project costs (whichever is less)
Eligible Projects:
Find the full program details here: Energy Efficiency And Retrofit Grant/Building Climate Change Adaptation Grant
5.4. Additional Residential Unit (ARU) & Additional Farm Labour Housing (AFLH) Grant
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 or 50% of eligible project costs (whichever is less)
Eligible Projects:
The ARU Program provides a one-time grant to help offset project costs for the construction of:
The AFLH Grant program provides a one-time grant to help offset project costs for the construction of:
Find the full program details here: Additional Residential Unit (ARU) & Additional Farm Labour Housing (AFLH) Grant
5.5. Building Renovation, Restoration or Improvement Grant
Maximum grant amount: $10,000 or 50% of eligible project costs (whichever is less)
Eligible Projects:
Find the full program details here: Building Renovation, Restoration or Improvement Grant
Community Improvement Plan Application Process
Review the steps below to complete your 2026 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) application. Beginning with a pre-consultation helps ensure your project aligns with program requirements and can streamline the review and approval process.
Applicants are requested to meet with the CIP Administrator, or designate, prior to the submission of their application. The purpose of this consultation meeting is to discuss and confirm application requirements, program eligibility, proposed scope of work, project timing, supporting documentation requirements, etc.
Email cip@southhuron.ca to request a pre-consultation.
Submission of a complete application must include the required application form, and any supporting documentation required by the CIP Administrator. Additional documents may include but are not limited to:
Staff will review the application for alignment with the CIPs specific program criteria. Based on the review, a decision to approve or deny the application will be determined and said decision will be provided to the applicant in writing with reasoning, if applicable.
Applications involving a property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act will be reviewed by both the CIP Review Team as well as the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee.
If a permit through the Heritage Act is required, said permit will have to be provided prior to the approval of the CIP application.
Once the application has been reviewed, and is acceptable, the CIP Administrator will recommend to the CAO that the agreement outlining the terms, duration, default, and any other provisions of the incentive program, is provided to the applicant for their review and signing. Once the applicant has signed the agreement and returned to the Municipality, the CAO will execute the agreement via delegated authority.
Once executed, copies of the agreement will be provided to all parties involved.
A sample of what a typical execution agreement would include can be found here: CIP Execution Agreement 2026 Example
Once the agreement is executed, the applicant has eighteen (18) months to complete the project as approved. No variations from the approved project are permitted without written approval from the CIP Administrator.
Once the project is complete, the applicant must provide the CIP Administrator with copies of the paid receipts for the work involved in the approved project. Provided the project is completed as approved and to the satisfaction of the CIP Administrator, the Municipality’s Treasurer will issue payment to the applicant.
Major Redevelopment Tax Increment Equivalent Rebate (TIER Program)
The Tax Increment Equivalent Rebate (TIER) Program is offered through the Municipality’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to support major development projects that generate significant new property assessment and employment opportunities. The program provides an annual rebate on a portion of the municipal property tax increase that results from eligible development or redevelopment.
The TIER Program provides an annual rebate based on the increase in municipal property taxes resulting from the completed development. Only the municipal portion of property taxes is eligible for the rebate, and education or other non-municipal taxes are excluded.
The rebate is typically structured over a period of up to ten years, with a higher percentage of the tax increment rebated in the initial years and gradually declining over time.
TIER Program Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Important notes for all programs:
Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis and will be open on an ongoing basis depending on the amount of funding remaining for the calendar year.
Applications for 2026 intake will be open August 1st, 2026.
Available remaining funding for the year will be updated periodically on this page. Contact cip@southhuron.ca for more details.
How long do I have to construct my project?
Once approved and the execution agreement is in place, grant recipients have 18 months to complete the project.
In special circumstances, an applicant may request, in writing, that the timeline be extended at the discretion of the CIP administrator and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Where an extension is requested, the request must be made at least 4 weeks prior to the original expiry date.
Can I make a change to my project after approval?
No variations from the approved project are permitted unless granted by the CIP administrator and the original intent of the project is maintained. Any variation requests need to be made in writing to the CIP administrator.
What happens if I do not complete the project within the prescribed timeline?
If any portion of the project remains incomplete on the final completion (expiry) date and an extension was not requested/ granted, the grant monies may be forfeited. No grant payment will be made at any time prior to the completion of the planned project in its entirety.
What if I have already started construction of my project?
The CIP application must be submitted and approved prior to commencing any construction. If any portion of the project has already commenced prior to approval of the CIP grant, the project is deemed ineligible for funding.
If a building permit is required for the project, you need to apply and obtain the permit before construction of the project can begin. However, you can apply for the CIP program prior to obtaining a building permit.
Refer to the South Huron Building page for more details on when a building permit is required and the how to apply.
If a planning application (i.e. minor variance, zoning by-law amnedment) is required to permit the proposed project, planning approvals can be obtained before or concurrent with the CIP application.
Required permits and approvals will be identified during the pre-consultation process.
Can I stack funding from other sources?
Yes, grant recipients can stack funding from other sources including other government grants to cover the 50% applicant matching requirement. Some additional funding sources are referenced in the Additional Funding and Business Support Opportunities section of this page. Note this is not an exhaustive list.
Applicants should disclose any additional funding sources throughout the CIP process. Refer to your CIP execution agreement for specific conditions related to your CIP funding.
Community Futures Huron offers fast-track business loan opportunities to help support the 50% matched funds requirement of a CIP grant. Visit Community Futures Huron for more information on their CIP loans.
Façade Improvement Loans
Community Futures Huron Facade Improvement Loans are designed to correspond with business investments leveraged by municipal Community Improvement Plans. C.I.P.s are becoming more prevalent throughout Huron County as a means of addressing downtown revitalization. While C.I.P.s are an excellent way of maintaining the physical vibrancy of our retail districts, some business and building owners may find it difficult to find the cash to fulfill the 50% matching component of things like façade reconstruction, signage and other leasehold improvements. Short‐term matching loans up to $10,000 per project might just be the ticket for some retail and service businesses in the region.
Contact Paul Nichol at (226) 889-8256 ext. 1 or pnichol@cfhuron.ca
Additional support and/or funding opportunities may be available through Huron County’s Economic Development Department.
Various funding opportunities are available through the Province of Ontario. Visit Ontario Government Grants to explore programs available to small businesses.
There are a variety of business grants and financing programs available through the Government of Canada to help your business grow and succeed.
Background Documents and Reports
Contact Us
The Municipality of South Huron
322 Main Street South, P.O. Box 759
Exeter, ON N0M 1S6
Phone: 519-235-0310
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