Urban Growth Centre

Community Improvement Plans (also known as C.I.P.’s) are financial incentive programs that are designed to encourage development and redevelopment in designated areas throughout the City of Oshawa. Property and/or business owners can apply for financial support in improving the visual and functional aspects of their commercial, industrial, and mixed-use residential buildings or parcels of land. 

Property owners, business owners, tenants, or agents acting on behalf of property owners are eligible to apply. Please note that applicants that are not the property owners must be aware of and approve any applications. 

Application timelines are dependent on the type of C.I.P. and grant program that you are interested to apply for therefore it is recommended that you confirm this detail ahead of any submission through reviewing the C.I.P. and booking a Pre-Application Consultation with a member of the Economic and Business Development Services team.

Some C.I.P. programs have two annual intake deadlines, March first and September first of every calendar year, such as the Simcoe Street South Renaissance C.I.P., Urban Growth Centre C.I.P., and Wentworth Street West C.I.P. (not including the Increased Assessment Grant within each program – see following statement).  

Other programs are open year-round with funding available on a first come, first served basis, such as the Brownfields Renaissance C.I.P., Harbour Road C.I.P., and the Increased Assessment Grant within the Simcoe Street South Renaissance C.I.P., Urban Growth Centre C.I.P., and Wentworth Street West C.I.P. 

No, there is no fee to apply for any of the C.I.P. grant programs. Please note the City is not responsible for any costs associated with preparing an application.

Yes.

For example, a property owner located in the Simcoe Street South Renaissance boundary could apply to complete an eligible accessibility upgrade via the Façade & Accessibility Improvement Grant (up to 50% of construction costs to a maximum of $10,000) and an eligible safety upgrade via the Building, Fire & Electrical Safety Codes Grant (up to 50% of construction costs to a maximum of $10,000). 

This can vary depending on the type of C.I.P. and grant program; however, most applications require the following:

• Completed application prior to any specific program deadlines, including property owner approval
• Property Information Details
• Project Description Details
• Project Documents (ex. two estimates of work, including one from a local Durham-based contractor)

This can vary depending on the type of C.I.P. and grant program, but generally all projects must be completed within one (1) calendar year from the time the grant is approved.