FAQs

A CIP is a planning and economic development tool that is prepared under Section 28 of the Planning Act. Under a CIP, the Town can make available grants, loans, or a combination of both, to eligible applicants to undertake a range of community improvement works, including building restoration; redevelopment; landscape works and property beautification; façade and signage improvements; and energy efficiency improvements, among other matters. CIPs are commonly used by municipalities throughout Ontario for these purposes.

CIPs represent an unique opportunity for the Town to promote and facilitate desirable community improvement works on private property through financial incentives. They also function to advance the vision of the community, policies of an Official Plan, and in the case of Bolton, the goals and objectives of the Bolton Downtown Revitalization Plan (2021), as well as other similar action-oriented initiatives. CIPs are widely demonstrated to contribute positively to community revitalization; there have been many such success stories over the last several years as an outcome of the Town’s three CIPs alone.

The Bolton CIP has now been in-effect for approximately 11 years. Given a range of considerations, such as evolving community revitalization needs, priorities and opportunities, it is logical to undertake a review and update to ensure the document remains relevant, effective and responsive to community revitalization matters.

Yes, the Town currently administers three CIPs that apply to different areas of the Town. These documents include the Caledon East CIP, Six Villages CIP, and the Bolton CIP. At this time, the Town has recognized an opportunity to update the Bolton CIP given that it is approximately 11 years old (about twice as old as the other two CIPs), and that recent Town initiatives (such as the Bolton Downtown Revitalization Plan), can be meaningfully advanced through an updated CIP framework.

Properties and businesses eligible for financial incentive programs under a CIP are defined by the Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA). The CIPA is a map that delineates areas of a community that may be eligible to apply to the financial incentive programs establishes by a CIP. The CIPA is divided into three precincts, Bolton Core, Commercial Corridor (Hwy 50) and the (older) Industrial. If your property may be within these areas please contact the CIP Administrator at business@caledon.ca to confirm and discuss your improvement project.  

If you are a commercial property owner or business that is located within the CIPA, you may be eligible to apply to certain financial incentive programs. However, there are a range of criteria and provisions that your property must comply with, and that the proposed works must satisfy to be considered eligible. These requirements are clearly established and explained by the provisions of the CIP. Importantly, there is a formal application process which includes pre-consultation with the Town for all property owners or businesses who may be interested in participating in the Town’s CIP programs.

The legal authority for the Town to offer financial incentives to the private sector is established through the Municipal Act, 2001 (as amended) and the Planning Act, 1990 (as amended). Section 28(1) of the Planning Act restricts eligible works that may be considered as community improvement. Further, the Town’s Official Plan establishes policy that contains specific criteria for defining community improvement areas. Based on these criteria, only commercial areas, industrial areas, and buildings in need of historical preservation are being evaluated through this Project for financial incentives at this time.

There will be many opportunities to be involved in the update of the Bolton CIP. Public engagement events will be held through the duration of the Project, in addition to an online survey. These events will offer a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the project and provide feedback and input directly to the project team. In accordance with the Planning Act, a Statutory Public Meeting will also be held to present the updated CIP and CIPA, which represents a formal opportunity to submit comments to the Town and make a delegation to Council.

By registering with this webpage, you will receive regular project updates and notices of public meetings. You may also contact Sandra Dolson, the Town’s Project Manager, at Sandra.Dolson@caledon.ca.