CIP Grants and Incentives

Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning tool to support strategic community investment priorities. The CIP provides a framework for public investment opportunities in the public realm and the provision of incentive programs to assist the private sector to stimulate redevelopment and to facilitate property improvements.

The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc undertook the preparation of this Community Improvement Plan (CIP) in late 2019 and early 2020, intending to build on the success of the previous CIP “About Face”.

Through the consolidated January 2026 CIP, the Municipality reaffirms its commitment to community improvement by expanding revitalization strategies and enhancing financial incentives to attract economic investment and support local development.

Are you a property owner in Strathroy-Caradoc?

The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc offers grant funding to help you upgrade and improve your building through our Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The CIP provides grants and incentives that support the rehabilitation and revitalization of key areas in our community—strengthening both the local economy and the character of our built environment.

Let’s work together to enhance the look, function, and overall vibrancy of Strathroy-Caradoc.

CIP Grant Budget Availability

Grants issued through the CIP are drawn from an annual budget set by Council during the budget process. Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget allocation is depleted.

Additional information on each of the incentive programs available to property owners within the Community Improvement Project Areas are provided below.

For questions please contact CIP@strathroy-caradoc.ca

View the 2026 Application Intake Deadlines

Financial Incentive Programs

The Beautification Program supports property owners to undertake projects to improve the overall visual appeal and quality of their building exterior and property works such as façade improvement, landscaping, and/or signage installation / repair.

Its goal is to strengthen community identity and beautify older / established areas of the Municipality by improving the physical and visual quality of buildings and spaces, as well as increasing the amount of green space along streetscapes.

Program Subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Downtown Strathroy
  • Caradoc Street South Commercial Corridor
  • High Street Industrial Park
  • Mount Brydges Commercial Core
  • Mount Brydges Economic Area
  • Melbourne Commercial Core

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Construction Costs Matching Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant

Beautification Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Intensification and Redevelopment Program supports property owners within core areas of the Municipality to undertake rehabilitation projects which may require improvements to comply with minimum building code requirements and support the functional redevelopment and renovation of buildings or properties necessary for new or expanded uses. This program also supports infill projects.

Its goal is to reinvigorate the core areas of economic activity in the Municipality by supporting a diverse range of uses, encouraging repurpose of buildings, and incentivizing the development of vacant or underdeveloped properties.

Program Subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Downtown Strathroy
  • Caradoc Street South Commercial Corridor
  • Mount Brydges Commercial Core
  • Melbourne Commercial Core

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Construction Costs Matching Grant (Barrier-free works/projects only)
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant
  • Brownfield Investigation Grant
  • Annual Tax Increment Grant

Intensification & Redevelopment Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Additional Unit Program supports property owners with the cost of creating new residential rental units on eligible properties, specifically with costs associated with bringing non-compliant units up to code to legalize existing units and ensure the safety and wellbeing of tenants are maintained.

Its goal is to encourage an increase in the stock and diversity of rental housing options throughout the Municipality as well as allow for increased density in built-up urban areas with larger lot fabrics.

Program may be subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Entire Municipality

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Construction Costs Matching Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant

Additional Unit Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Attainable Rental Housing Program supports the creation of new attainable and near-market rental housing units in the settlement areas of Strathroy and Mount Brydges. This program will seek to offset the costs of developing and maintaining rental housing and encourage a further diversification of the Municipality’s housing stock.

Eligible Areas:

  • Strathroy Settlement Area
  • Mount Brydges Settlement Area

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant
  • Annual Tax Increment Grant (TIG)

Attainable Housing Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Heritage Program supports works associated with the conservation and preservation of designated heritage buildings under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act within Strathroy-Caradoc.

Its goal is to encourage and strengthen a culture of heritage preservation in the community, while presenting opportunities for new heritage buildings/properties to be designated and preserved under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Program Subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Entire Municipality

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Construction Costs Matching Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant

Heritage Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Public Art & Interim Use Program supports the enhancement and promotion of local art -murals, statues and/or displays - and culture and support innovative interim uses - community gardens, parklet improvements and more - on vacant / underdeveloped private lands to eliminate activity gaps or “dead zones” in the core areas of the Municipality.

Its goal is to strengthen the identity of communities through the celebration of local history, culture, and heritage through art and inclusive spaces.

Program may be subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Entire Municipality

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Construction Costs Matching Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Urban Economic Development Program supports the creation of new jobs and diversification of the local economy by incentivizing exceptional projects which closely align with the economic development goals and priorities of the community. This program offers relief from development charges and building and planning fees to attract new employers to locate in strategic areas of the municipality.

Its goal is to encourage the expansion and growth of existing established employers.

Eligible Areas:

  • Molnar Industrial Park
  • High Street Industrial Park
  • Mount Brydges Economic Area

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Development Charge Grant
  • Parkland Cash-in lieu Reduction

Urban Economic Development Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Rural Economic & Agri-Tourism Program supports job creation and purposeful diversification of the rural economy. Eligible projects include new construction or building renovations, façade improvements, upgraded or new on-site signage, the purchase and installation of permanent equipment or structures, and the addition of permanent landscaping features such as planting beds, trees, hardscaping, and overall site beautification.

Its goal is to highlight on-farm diversified business, rural-commercial, Agri-tourism, or other commercial recreation uses in the rural area to promote growth and resiliency.

Eligible Areas:

  • Rural Area

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Construction Costs Matching Grant

Rural Economic Development & Agri-Tourism Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

The Environment and Sustainability Program supports property owners with improvements to buildings and properties that incorporate Low Impact Design (LID) elements (porous concrete or vegetated stormwater swales/planting beds), green technologies (solar panels, green roofs), sustainable building materials, energy efficiency, and/or active transportation.

Its goal is to incentivize environmentally conscious development practices and improvements that reduce the impact of our built environment on the natural environment.

Program Subject to the Downtown Strathroy Urban Design Guidelines

Eligible Areas:

  • Entire Municipality

Grant and Incentive Details:

  • Building Permit & Planning Fee Grant
  • Construction Costs Matching Grant
  • Professional Fee Matching Grant

Environment & Sustainability Program Brochure

Please contact the CIP Coordinator regarding the application process.

This Development Charge Grant Policy (“Policy”) establishes a framework for providing development charges grants for missing middle housing. The purpose of this Policy is to encourage the development of diverse housing types within the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc by lowering financial barriers and promoting increased housing supply, affordability, and community diversity.

Development Charge Grant Policy

Application Process

This section outlines the general application process for financial incentive programs available under this CIP. The Municipality, at its sole discretion, may indicate or require additional processes through specific Program Guidelines.

Projects or site works commenced and/or completed prior to the submission and approval of an application shall be generally ineligible for funding. Notwithstanding this, the Municipality may consider funding for those parts of an active project that have not yet been carried out, at the sole discretion of the Municipality.

Under no circumstances will CIP funding be used retroactively.

Prior to submission of an application, an eligibility review & pre-consultation must be completed to confirm program eligibility and application requirements including supporting documents, proposed scope of work, cost and project timing. Please contact CIP@strathroy-caradoc.ca to book a pre-consultation.

General requirements for programs include:

  • The applicants must be the registered owner of the land for which the application is being made or an agent authorized by the registered owner.

  • All realty taxes must be paid in full prior to the grant being issued.

  • An applicant may apply for more than one CIP grant program. One application is required, including its eligible program combinations.

  • To be eligible for assistance, the property must be located within a Community Improvement Project Area.

  • Prior to disbursements of funds for any incentive, the Municipality shall confirm that all the requirements of the particular program have been met.

  • Improvements and activities to private property must not commence until an application has been approved in full by Municipal Council and an agreement has been executed by both the registered owner and the Municipality. Retroactivity for improvements made prior to the approval of a CIP application are not permitted.

Submit a complete application, which includes all the required forms and supporting documentation as required by the Municipality. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to:

  • Specification of the proposed works, including a work plan for the improvements and construction drawings, site plan and/or professional design/architectural drawings

  • Photos of the existing property that is subject of the proposed works

  • At least two cost estimates for eligible work provided by licensed contractors or consultants, as appropriate in the context of the financial incentive program.

Once required forms and documentation have been received, staff will undertake a review of the proposal and application. Based on the application and proposal, the results of the preliminary screening, staff may perform an initial site visit and inspection of the building/property, as necessary.

  • If the application meets the program requirements, the application will be accepted, and staff will provide a recommendation of the application to Council. By accepting an application for any of the financial incentive programs, the Municipality does not guarantee program approval.

  • If the application clearly does not meet the program eligibility requirements, the application will not be accepted.

Once the application has been accepted and the review completed, staff will notify the applicant of the staff approval recommendation of the application.

  • If the application is recommended for approval, the applicant will be required to execute a Community Improvement Plan Grant Agreement with the Municipality.

  • The application will be taken forward at a Municipal Council meeting for final approval. Project cannot begin prior to Council approval.

Once an application has been approved by Council and the required agreements signed and authorized, and once all the required approvals and permits for the work are secured, the applicant may commence community improvement works.

Payment of the financial incentive will be provided upon successful completion of the approved works.

  • Prior to the issuance of the financial incentive, the applicant will be required to provide the Municipality with final supporting documentation.

  • The Municipality will request photographs of the completed work or perform a final site visit and inspection of the building/property (as necessary) in order to ensure that the project has been completed in accordance with the Agreement.

  • If all the program requirements and Community Improvement Plan Grant Agreement requirements have been met to the Municipality’s satisfaction the Municipality will issue payment of the approved grant in accordance with the general and specific program eligibility requirement, and the Community Improvement Plan Grant Agreement.

Downtown Master Plan

The Downtown Master Plan presents an analysis of the current condition of downtown Strathroy and identifies opportunities for improvements that can be addressed through the implementation of enhancement projects and initiatives.

  • Create a sustainable destination for shopping, recreation, and culture;
  • Promote a diverse mix of uses and public spaces for all ages;
  • Strengthen residential presence;
  • Improve connections to the Sydenham River;
  • Revitalize underused lands; enhance parking, landmarks, gateways, streetscapes, and public event spaces;
  • Preserve the area’s heritage and character by enhancing the pedestrian experience and provide a welcoming and inviting environment.

For more information related to the objectives of the Downtown Master Plan and the improvement projects identified in the document, please view the following documents:

Downtown Master Plan - Background Report (2020)

Contact

Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc
Planning Department
52 Frank Street,
Strathroy ON N7G 2R4

Phone: 519-245-1105
Email: CIP@strathroy-caradoc.ca