Get an Investment Ready: Certified Site designation for your industrial property

• Signed application form through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).
• Signed application sponsorship form from the municipality.
• Aerial photo, maps, and site survey documents.
• Official plan and zoning by-law excerpts, title or parcel records.
• Required assessment reports and supporting certifications, if applicable.

Who is eligible?

• Industrial property owners.
• Publicly owned property owners.
• Privately owned property owners.
• Municipal or regional economic development organizations, as sponsors.

Eligible expenses

• Application and certification-related costs, including maintenance.
• Mapping, surveys, legal fees, and project management.
• Environmental, archaeological, and related assessment costs.
• Certified-site marketing materials, advertising, and digital promotion.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Infrastructure, capital, site preparation, maintenance, and property tax costs.
• Ongoing operating costs, labour, office overhead, travel, and accommodation.
• Costs outside Ontario, unless approved due to limited supplier availability.
• General market research, website maintenance, postage, sponsorships, and trade show participation.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Compliance with the program’s acceptance criteria.
• Completeness of the application package.
• Availability of funding.
• Number of applications received.

• Step 1: Pre-application consultation
  • Contact program staff by emailing investmentready@ontario.ca to find out if your industrial property could be eligible and what type of information and documents you will have to provide.
• Step 2: Submit application package
  • Forms will only be accepted during an application intake window and when a consultation meeting has been completed.
  • Submit the application form and supporting documents through TPON.
• Step 3: Review and decision
  • The committee reviews the application.
  • Applicants are notified if their site is accepted.
  • If accepted, a contract is issued to formalize participation.
• Step 4: Complete certification requirements
  • Submit required documents as certification work is completed.
  • Arrange a site visit with program staff.
• Step 5: Receive designation and reimbursement
  • Receive the Certified Site designation.
  • Submit eligible invoices for reimbursement, if applicable.

• Pre-application consultation is completed first.
• Application is screened for completeness and reviewed by a committee.
• Applicants are notified of acceptance or refusal.
• Accepted applicants receive a funding agreement before certification work continues.
• After certification, invoices are reviewed and audited before reimbursement is paid.

• The designation is valid for 4 years, unless the property is sold or leased earlier.
• Applicants must complete a pre-application consultation before submitting an application.
• Only complete applications are considered for review.
• Annual reporting is required after certification.