Town of Bracebridge — Community Improvement Plan

• Application form
• Project quotes
• Proof of payment after completion
• Documents confirming energy efficiency specifications, where applicable
• Written owner consent for tenant applications, where applicable

Who is eligible?

• Commercial, industrial, institutional, residential, and mixed-use property owners.
• Tenants with written consent from the property owner, where allowed.
• Hotels and motels in the CIP area, for certain programs.

Who is not eligible

• Tenants applying for a loan.
• Projects not located in the applicable CIP program area.
• Applicants who start work before approval.

Eligible expenses

• Building, façade, signage, housing, and property improvement costs.
• Energy efficiency retrofit costs.
• Professional installation, design, and related supporting work where applicable.
• Sign permit fees, up to 50% for signage projects.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Project work started before application approval.
• Temporary signage such as window graphics and decals.
• Retrofits that do not result in substantial energy savings.
• Loan applications by tenants.

Eligible geographic areas

• Bracebridge, Ontario.
• Central Business District.
• District Shopping Area (“The Flats”).
• Mixed-Use Areas.
• Business Areas.
• Industrial Areas.
• Other CIP area locations specified by individual programs.

• Alignment with CIP goals and objectives.
• Quality of signage design and visual improvement to the area.
• Expected energy savings for retrofit projects.
• Overall contribution to building condition, streetscape, and community improvement.

• Step 1: Review program requirements
  • Check the relevant CIP program guidelines.
  • Confirm the project fits the applicable program area and rules.
• Step 2: Pre-consult with the Town
  • Contact the Economic Development Officer before applying.
  • Confirm the application requirements for a complete submission.
• Step 3: Prepare the application
  • Complete the online CIP application form.
  • Prepare project quotes and any required supporting information.
  • Include disclosure of other funding sources, if any.
• Step 4: Submit and wait for approval
  • Submit the application to the Town for review.
  • Do not start work until the application is formally approved.
• Step 5: Complete the project and claim funding
  • Carry out the work according to the approved scope.
  • Provide proof of payment after completion.

• Applications are reviewed by the Town after submission.
• Some projects may be subject to verification by the Chief Building Official or designate.
• The Town may approve, reject, or conditionally approve an application.
• A Notice of Decision is issued after approval.
• Project completion must be reported to the Town within 12 months of the Notice of Decision, unless an extension is granted.

• Pre-consultation with the Town’s Economic Development Officer is recommended before applying.
• Applications must be approved before any project work begins.
• Additional public or private funding must be declared and may be stacked within limits.
• Funding approval may lapse if completion is not reported within 12 months of the Notice of Decision.