Rural Prosperity grants begin flowing as first applications reach committee

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Just weeks after the County of Brant approved its new Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan (RPCIP), the first applications are already making their way through the approval process, offering an early glimpse into how the program could shape investment across rural communities. 

Two applications were presented to the Administration and Operations Committee on May 19, supporting projects that range from creating new housing opportunities on farms to converting an empty former bank branch into a daycare facility. 

Approved by council in April, the RPCIP was designed to extend Community Improvement Plan incentives beyond urban areas and into farms, rural tourism operations, hamlets and villages throughout the county. The program provides grants aimed at reducing the cost of building improvements, adaptive reuse projects, signage upgrades and residential additions. 

"The Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan is an important step in supporting the sustainability of our rural communities," Mayor David Bailey said when the program launched. "By helping to offset costs for improvements, we are investing in our farms, businesses, and rural areas in the County for years to come." 

The largest of the first applications came from the tenant at 284 Oakland Rd., where plans are underway to transform a former bank building into a licensed daycare facility in Scotland. The project is seeking up to $32,295 through a combination of grant streams including signage improvements, adaptive commercial reuse, property upgrades and application fee support. 

According to staff, the project carries a total construction value of nearly $66,000 and would add 45 daycare spaces in the County of Brant — a move staff noted could help address persistent childcare waitlists. 

The proposed renovations include significant interior work to bring the building into compliance with Ontario building and childcare requirements, including electrical upgrades, a new fire alarm system, emergency lighting, HVAC improvements and outdoor play space enhancements. 

The second application involves a farm property at 222 Bishopsgate Rd., where the owner is seeking the maximum $10,000 Housing/Residential Unit Improvement Grant to convert an existing structure into an Additional Residential Unit (ARU). 

County staff noted ARUs can help support farm succession planning by creating opportunities for another generation to remain on the property. 

The project has a total construction value of just over $26,000 and includes upgrades such as higher-efficiency windows, electrical improvements and renovations required to meet Ontario Building Code standards. 

The applications also demonstrate the financial leverage the county hopes to achieve through the program. Together, the two projects would generate more than $92,000 in construction activity while drawing just over $42,000 in grant support. 

County staff reported that, to date, 81 downtown Community Improvement Plan projects have been approved, with the new rural program now beginning to build on that momentum. As of this week's meeting, the two RPCIP applications were the first awaiting approval under the initiative. 

"The RPCIP reflects what we heard from our rural community," said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, in the program launch announcement. "There is strong interest in practical improvements that support local businesses, agriculture, and tourism while maintaining the character of rural Brant." The two applications were moved by councillors at the Administration meeting but must be ratified by Councillors.