Financial Incentives (Community Grants, CIP, Event Tourism Grants)

• Most recent year-end financial statements, showing comparison with the previous year and audited if available.
• Detailed budget for the project or initiative.
• Organization’s budget for the year in which the funds are being requested.
• Detailed event budget including revenues, expenses, and any in-kind support.
• Documentation verifying higher efficiency equipment replacement and/or energy-efficiency specifications for new materials being installed.

Who is eligible?

• Property owners.
• Tenants with written consent from the property owner, unless otherwise specified by the program description.
• Local community groups.
• Not-for-profit organizations.
• Eligible tourism event organizers hosting events in Bracebridge.

Who is not eligible

• Tenants are not eligible to apply for a loan under any of the financial assistance programs.

Eligible expenses

• Structural repairs, interior restoration and design, and building infrastructure work such as roofing, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection systems.
• Weatherproofing, accessibility improvements, and other improvements that bring a building up to code or address health, safety, or risk management issues.
• Exterior façade improvements, including brickwork, cladding, cornices, eaves, parapets, windows, doors, awnings, exterior lighting, façade cleaning, and storefront or entrance modifications.
• Permanent signage costs, including fabrication, materials, professional installation, engineering, design, structural assessments, and 50% of the applicable sign permit fee.
• Landscaping features and green space, permanent landscaping elements, parking and parking lot upgrades, rear entrances and rear parking areas, walkways, patios and outdoor cafés in the Central Business District and District Shopping Area (“The Flats”) only, and event participation or pre/post event tourism support with minor equipment for inaugural and future events.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Window graphics, decals, and similar temporary or non-permanent treatments are not eligible for the Signage Improvement Grant.
• Research, except exit surveys needed to determine demographics of visitors or participants, is not eligible for Event Tourism Grants.
• Transportation is not eligible for Event Tourism Grants.
• Payment of Town or other taxes is not eligible for Event Tourism Grants.
• Operating or capital deficits incurred in prior years by an organization are not eligible for Event Tourism Grants.

Eligible geographic areas

• Central Business District
• District Shopping Area (“The Flats”)
• Business Areas and Industrial Areas
• Mixed-Use Areas
• CIP Area and Priority Sites

• Community impact, based on the Council Priorities selected in the application.
• Organizational alignment and capacity, volunteer and community engagement, financial responsibility and sustainability, and relevance to Bracebridge.
• For Event Tourism Grants, consideration is given to the Town’s event tourism goals and corporate and tourism branding recognition opportunities; for Signage Improvement Grants, design quality and overall visual improvement to the building and streetscape.

• Contact the Economic Development Officer for a pre-consultation before submitting a CIP application.
• Complete the Town’s online CIP application form.
• For Community Grants, complete the Community Grant Application Form and submit supporting documentation.
• For Event Tourism Grants, consult with Economic Development Staff and complete the Event Grant Application Form.

• Community Grant applications are reviewed by Town staff, and recommendations are made to Council through the annual budget consideration process in December.
• Successful Community Grant applicants are contacted by Town staff regarding Council’s funding decisions in January.
• Event Tourism Grant applications are reviewed by staff, recommended to Council through annual budget deliberations, and the decision is communicated to the applicant.
• Event Tourism Grant recipients execute an Event Tourism Grant Agreement, take part in a media release or photo opportunity, and complete an Event Evaluation after the event.
• Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant/Loan applications are subject to review and verification by the Chief Building Official or designate.

• The Town reserves the right to discontinue these programs, adjust eligibility criteria, or amend Priority Sites at any time.