Community Improvement Plan funding hits record high in 2025

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

$257K in grants leverages nearly $1.4M in downtown improvements

The County of Brant’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program saw a record-breaking year in 2025, with council approving $257,180 in grants to support downtown revitalization projects in Paris, St. George and Burford.

According to a year-in-review report presented to the Administration and Operations Committee on Feb. 17, the approved funding will leverage approximately $1.4 million in construction value, marking the highest total grant allocation since 2020.

In total, 19 applications were approved through council or delegated authority, representing a leveraged investment rate of 18 per cent.

The CIP program, established under Section 28 of the Planning Act, allows council to offer financial incentives to businesses and property owners within designated downtown cores to improve façades, accessibility, signage and other property features.

The report notes 2025 was a “record-breaking year” both in terms of application volume and total dollars approved.

Year-over-year CIP funding approved since 2020 shows steady growth, with 2025 significantly outpacing previous years:

2020: $34,384

2021: $70,098

2022: $98,070

2023: $87,941

2024: $50,326

2025: $257,180

Paris accounted for the majority of 2025 investment, receiving $241,780 in grant funding, which leveraged more than $1.36 million in improvements. St. George saw $13,850 in grants, while Burford received $1,550.

The report credits several factors for the surge in applications, including an enhanced marketing campaign in Paris tied to the Downtown Dig project and delegated authority granted to the General Manager of Strategic Initiatives for applications under $5,000. The streamlined process allowed smaller improvements, such as signage, to move forward more efficiently during construction-related disruptions. Letters were also mailed to property owners in all three downtown cores to promote awareness of the program. Among the notable projects completed in 2025 was the continued transformation of 5, 7 and 9 Grand River St. N., where a mixed-use redevelopment created ground-floor commercial space and upper residential units. The property owner received $103,000 in CIP funding across phases of the project, leveraging a $4.5 million private investment into downtown Paris.

Juniper Dining Co. also relocated into the newly redeveloped space in 2025, receiving $33,700 in CIP funding to support interior improvements and expand seating capacity, including a rear patio. The move represented a $330,000 investment.

Other funded improvements included:

Accessibility upgrades at 41 Main St. S. in St. George

Rear patio construction at the Paris Pub to accommodate Downtown Dig disruptions

Façade and window improvements along Grand River Street North

Signage upgrades for several businesses in Paris and Burford

A new door at Abigails Teahouse in St. George to address security concerns

The CIP capital account remains sustainable, according to the report. As of Jan. 22, 2026, the account balance stood at $239,675. With $172,378 in previously approved grants not yet paid out, the remaining balance would be $67,297 if all outstanding grants are disbursed.

Staff concluded the CIP program continues to be an effective tool to encourage private investment and enhance the public realm in Brant’s downtown cores.

Council received the report for information.