Renovation grant for commercial buildings and spaces

The Commerce-Montreal grant provides financial assistance to support the renovation of commercial spaces in the Montreal agglomeration, encouraging socially and ecologically responsible economic activities. The funding structure is designed to facilitate impactful development in line with the city's economic revitalization goals.

• The subsidy covers 40% of eligible renovation work costs, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
• Additionally, 75% of the costs for professional services related to the renovation work are reimbursable, up to $10,000 per project.
• A total budget of $12 million is allocated over three years to support projects meeting the specified criteria.

Eligibility for this grant is open to businesses meeting specific criteria regarding ownership and the nature of the property.

• The applicant must be a commercial property owner or business owner within the Montréal agglomeration.
• The applicant must not own properties that are government or municipal buildings, or owned by school boards or religious institutions.
• The building must not be used for industrial activities.
• The business should not be a gas station, service station, mechanical workshop, or car wash.
• The company must not be part of a network with more than five branches, subsidiaries, or franchises.
• The project must not already benefit from other financial support from the city.

Who is eligible?

All commercial property owners and business owners throughout the Montréal agglomeration are eligible to apply for this grant program. It specifically targets those who own or rent commercial spaces within the area and are looking to renovate their properties to stimulate the economy through projects that focus on social, circular, and ecologically responsible initiatives. However, there are certain exclusions, such as government and municipal buildings, school boards or religious institutions, gas stations, and companies with more than five branches or franchises.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain types of buildings and businesses from eligibility. This ensures that the funds support the intended scope of commercial and ecological development.

• Government and municipal buildings and those belonging to school boards or religious institutions.
• Buildings or portions of buildings allocated to industrial activities.
• Gas stations, service stations, mechanical workshops, and car washes.
• Companies that are part of a network with more than five branches, subsidiaries, or franchises.
• Projects that already benefit from financial support from the city.

Eligible expenses

Eligible projects for this grant aim to enhance the physical appeal and functionality of commercial spaces through substantial renovations. These projects focus on both the exterior and interior aspects to improve business spaces across Montréal.

• Renovation of exterior elements such as walls, facings, doors, windows, shop windows, architectural elements, signs, awnings, and lighting.
• Creation of permanent terraces and access improvements to the buildings.
• Roofing, framing, and foundation upgrades.
• Interior renovations including enhancements to walls, floors, ceilings, stairs, painting, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and customer washrooms.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located within the Montréal agglomeration. This includes businesses across all 19 boroughs and 15 suburban cities in the region.

• Businesses within the 19 boroughs of Montréal.
• Companies in the 15 suburban cities of the Montréal agglomeration.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with additional points allocated for certain project features.

• Projects leading to the occupation of vacant spaces.
• Projects that facilitate universal access.
• New food stores in an area where food availability is more than a 15-minute walk away.

• Applications must be submitted within the eligibility periods established for each year. Applications submitted outside these periods will be refused.
• Grants will be paid by cheque in a single instalment upon completion of the work and submission of the required documents.