The Town of Bracebridge is committed to encouraging long-term economic development and growth and invites local businesses to participate in the 2024 Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Through a CIP, the Town offers strategic and flexible programs to financially incentivize the revitalization of key commercial, industrial, business, mixed-use, and tourist areas of Bracebridge.
The Town of Bracebridge has a series of financial programs available that offer a combination of grants and loans designed to leverage private sector investment to stimulate development and redevelopment. CIP programs provide up to 50% of the total cost of eligible projects including building, property, signage and façade improvements, energy efficiency retrofits, housing, and more. Applications for the 2024 programs are being accepted on an ongoing basis or until funding is exhausted. New this year, businesses can submit their applications online.
In 2023, the Town of Bracebridge contributed over $85,000 in grants towards projects that helped revitalize 25 local businesses, successfully leveraging an estimated $837,000 in private sector investment from the businesses who received funding. 2023 projects included:
- Façade improvement at 9-17 Manitoba Street;
- Building and housing improvement at 38 Manitoba Street, which will help bring this building up to building code standards;
- Property improvement at 166 Manitoba Street which helped to increase the accessibility of these two businesses by replacing an old interlocking sidewalk with new concrete; and more.
CIPs are used by municipalities to help address the reuse and restoration of lands, buildings and infrastructure, to address growth management challenges, to plan for rehabilitation, development and land-use change, and more.
To learn more about eligibility for the 2024 Community Improvement Plan and how to apply online, visit bracebridge.ca/CIP.