The Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP) launched on January 1, 2017. This program seeks to encourage growth in Downtown Orillia by providing grants designed to stimulate development. Council has approved $240,000 for the 2020 grant program to offset costs of development in the downtown core for projects such as façade improvements, signage, feasibility studies, building improvements and the creation of residential units.
Over time, the DTCIP is expected to increase tax assessment, employment opportunities and housing options in the City's core as part of a longer term plan to revitalize the downtown and link it more closely to Orillia's waterfront.
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool authorized by the Planning Act and Municipal Act which allows municipalities to offer financial incentives such as grants and loans to property owners and business tenants in order to encourage downtown, neighbourhood and community revitalization.
The deadline to submit applications for the third intake of 2020 is October 30, 2020. Applicants must have taken part in a mandatory pre-consultation with the Business Development and Communications Department. The Community Workshop that was held on Sept. 24, 2020 qualifies as this pre-consultation.
On June 18, 2020 Council approved additional funding to the DTCIP Program for the Fees Grant and the Building Improvement Grant to assist local retail/restaurant operations to expand their footprint using "patio" space in the public realm as recommended by the Economic Recovery Task Force. This concept considers the balance of space required for developing patio opportunities while considering the need for physical distancing and safety on the sidewalks for pedestrians.
If you are not yet ready to apply, but are contemplating a future application, please sign up here for the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan Mailing List to receive updates and information on future intake opportunities.
For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Zanussi, Administrative Assistant, Business Development and Communications at 705-325-4900.
| Intake Deadlines | ||||||||||||||||||
| After meeting with the Business Development and Communications Department for your mandatory pre-consultation, applications can be submitted in person or through 2big4email to edc@orillia.ca.
February 28, 2020 June 30, 2020 October 30, 2020 |
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| DTCIP Program Guides and Application Package | ||||||||||||||||||
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All applicants are required to review the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan AND participate in a mandatory pre-consultation meeting with City of Orillia program staff. Mandatory pre-consultations may be scheduled up to one week prior to the intake deadline and are subject to the availability of staff. Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan DTCIP Brochure (Includes an overview of the DTCIP Program) DTCIP Application Package (Includes Frequently Asked Questions, information related to grant values per program type) Information on Sign Permits, Applications, By-laws and Fees * Note: Feasibility/Design Study Grants, Fees Grants, Facade Improvement Program, Building Improvement Program and Residential Improvement Program Grants may be awarded once per property per year (from the date of grant approval) to a maximum of two grants for any five year period. This includes grants awarded in 2020 for the COVID-19 Patio and Public Realm Project. |
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| Be Prepared! | ||||||||||||||||||
WSIB Clearance and Insurance RequirementsWhen applying for the program, applicants must ensure that potential contractors have Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Certification as well as proof of insurance.
Tip: When collecting quotations from contractors, request that they provide you with a copy of their WSIB certificate and proof of insurance to ensure that all potential contractors are eligible. Upon approval, the applicant will be required to submit a WSIB certificate and proof of insurance for the successful contractor to the Economic Development Department.
Project TimingThe intent of the DTCIP is to stimulate developments and improve the visitor experience; as such it is important that improvements take place in a timely manner. The grant agreement will have an approved project timeline indicating the date at which the project must be completed to be awarded the grant funds.
Tip: When collecting quotations from contractors, communicate the timeline of the project to ensure that all factors are considered (weather, workload, etc.) in order to meet the projected deadline.
Receipt SubmissionApplicants must submit proof of payment for all eligible expenses. Eligible invoices will only be accepted from qualified contractors, firms, and/or businesses.
Tip: Submit one receipt from each of your contractor(s) showing proof of payment for eligible expenses. Receipts from various retailers and/or building supply outlets will not be accepted. |
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| 2020 Grant Funding and *NEW* COVID-19 Patio Program Grant Funding | ||||||||||||||||||
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A total of $240,000 has been allocated to the Downtown Tomorrow CIP Grant Program for 2020 through the City's regular budget process. Special additional funding in the amount of $50,000 has been approved by Council on June 18, 2020, for grants to enable downtown retail/restaurant operators to expand operations into the public realm while protecting the space required to maintain physical separation and the safety of pedestrians. This additional funding was allocated from the Social Assistance and Economic Recovery COVID-19 Emergency Relief Reserve.
Funds for each grant program are as follows: Fees Grant Program - new - plus $20,000** for the COVID-19 Patio and Public Realm Project Facade Improvement Program - $34,802.75 Feasibility/Design Study Grant Program- $10,000 Building Improvement Grant Program- $115,000 - new - plus $30,000*** for the COVID-19 Patio and Public Realm Project Residential Grant Program- $60,000
* Following the final grant intake, staff will be able to reallocate funds if the project achieves a high caliber impact in the downtown and therefore applicants are encouraged to apply even when the program funds are depleted. ** Applicants can apply for up to 100% of the costs of patio lease application fees and parking space fees up to $5,000. *** Applicants can apply for up to 50% of the costs of construction of temporary patios up to $15,000. (Patio construction is estimated to cost between $2,000 to $5,000.) |
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Past Winners |
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| Media Coverage | ||||||||||||||||||
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News Release - Orillia grants more than $20,000 to local businesses through DTCIP News Release - Phase 1 of Orillia’s patio and public realm initiative receives a green light News Release - Orillia’s downtown grant program is breaking barriers to upper-storey development Media Coverage - CTV Barrie - Orillia awards grants to downtown projects Media Coverage - Four downtown projects awarded city grants totalling over $45,000 Media Coverage - Downtown property owners can cash in on grants (August 2018) Media Coverage - CTV Barrie - Improving Orillia Media Coverage - City investments in downtown Orillia 'fantastic' News Release - Mayor Announces Recipients of DTCIP Grants News Release - City of Orillia Grant stimulates creation of new apartments News Release - City of Orillia announces second round of Downtown Tomorrow Grants Media Coverage - Community improvement plan helping unlock Orillia's potential Media Coverage - Approximately $125,000 in Downtown Orillia Grant funds still available in 2017 Media Coverage - Downtown Orillia incentive program well worth the money Media Coverage - Downtown Orillia Improvement Grants Media Coverage - $60K in grants announced for downtown Orillia projects News Release - Stimulating development in Downtown Orillia with new grants News Release - Announcing Council adoption of DTCIP News Release - Introducing the Downtown Tomorrow CIP Project |
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| Additional Resources | ||||||||||||||||||
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Mandatory Pre-Consultation Video
Local Consultant Resource List Report to Council Re: DTCIP Adoption and 2017 Implementation Plan (includes presentation) |
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| Development of the Downtown Tomorrow CIP | ||||||||||||||||||
| The Downtown Tomorrow CIP project began in June 2015 with a review and inventory of the project area.
On July 14, 2015, the community was invited to learn more about the Downtown Tomorrow CIP and how it could benefit downtown Orillia at a public information session. RCI Consulting, a leader in the development of CIP's, was on-hand to facilitate a group workshop where challenges and opportunities were captured for consideration in the next phase of the project. These ideas were captured in the Downtown Tomorrow Consultation Summary.
The project team brought forward the first draft of incentive programs and associated documents to Council Committee on September 21, 2015, for consideration. A second Public Information Session took place on Tuesday, October 27, where the community provided input on the draft incentives and draft design principles. A Special Council Committee meeting was held on November 12, 2015, where Council made additional changes and revisions to the CIP programs in order to increase the flexibility of the programs. The draft Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan package was sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for comment in February 2016. Between February and May 2016, the staff project team worked with community stakeholders developing recommendations related to implementation for 2017, including details related to proposed budget allocations and potential evaluation criteria for awarding grants. The final DTCIP Plan and 2017 Implementation Plan were presented to, and adopted by, Council at the Public Planning Meeting on June 27, 2016. Implementation of the following five grant programs began on January 1, 2017;
Report to Council Re: DTCIP Official Plan Amendment - April 25, 2016 Report to Special Council Committee - November 12, 2015 (includes revised draft incentive package) |
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| Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan Mailing List | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stay in the loop by signing up here to receive updates on the DTCIP Grant Program! |
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