Community Improvement Programme

What are the Invest WELL Programmes?

The Invest WELL Programmes are top-up funding incentives for businesses participating in their local municipality’s Community Improvement Plan. To be eligible for a County fund, businesses must be approved at the local municipal level.

What is a Community Improvement Plan?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is intended to encourage rehabilitation initiatives and stimulate development. A CIP allows a municipality to provide tax assistance, grants or loans to businesses within a defined Community Improvement Project Area.

To find out if you are eligible under your local municipality’s CIP, please see the links below:

Township of Centre Wellington

Community Improvement Plan:

View Centre Wellington's CIP

Town of Erin

Investing in Growth: Community Improvement Plan

View Erin's CIP

Guelph Eramosa Township

Community Improvement Plan:

View Guelph-Eramosa's CIP

Township of Mapleton

Mapleton Means Business: Community Improvement Plan

View Mapleton's CIP

Town of Minto
Financial Incentives: Community Improvement Plan

View Minto's Incentives

Township of Puslinch
Our Corridor: Community Improvement Plan

View Puslinch's CIP

Township of Wellington North
Community Improvement Program:

Grants Available

 Study Grant

The study grant helps applicants complete pre-development studies. The County offers up to $10,000 per study, and a maximum of 2 studies per project. The following list of studies are eligible to receive funding:

  • Urban design studies and architectural/design drawings;
  • Heritage impact assessments;
  • Concept plans and site plans;
  • Structural analyses and evaluation of existing and proposed mechanical, electrical, and other building systems;
  • Energy efficiency and water conservation studies;
  • Geothermal energy design studies;
  • Blue/white/green roof studies;
  • Low impact development (LID) engineering and design studies;
  • Traffic impact assessments/studies
  • Studies of microclimatic conditions (sun, shadow, wind);
  • On-farm bio-digestor feasibility and design studies;
  • Phase Two environmental site assessments (ESA);
  • Designated substance and hazardous materials surveys;
  • Remedial work plans;
  • Risk assessments/risk management plans;
Minor Activity Grant

The Minor Activity Grant helps businesses complete construction or infrastructure projects such as façade improvements, expansions, interior renovations, and more.

Funding up to 50% of total eligible costs up to a maximum of $20,000 per project may be available.

Types of projects and land uses may include (but are not limited to):

  • Commercial: improvement/expansion of existing commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings/properties
  • Housing: Creation of new affordable housing units
  • Agricultural: Improvement/expansion of existing agricultural buildings or construction of new agricultural buildings for the purpose of accommodating agricultural manufacturing, value added farm products, on-farm diversified uses, or new/innovative farm related agriculture and agri-business uses
  • Tourism: improvement/expansion of new or existing tourism-based properties and/or businesses.
  • Sustainability: green infrastructure projects that meet the County’s Green Building Standards, or equivalent.

Major Activity Grant

A Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) may be available under the Major Activity Grant. The following table outlines the TIEG rate for an eligible project:

 

YearCounty TIEG Amount as a % of the County Property Tax Increase (Increment) Resulting from the Project

1

100%

2

80%

3

60%

4

40%

5

20%

 

Eligible projects may include (but are not limited to):

  • Commercial: improvement/expansion of existing commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use buildings/properties
  • Housing: Creation of new affordable housing units
  • Agricultural: Improvement/expansion of existing agricultural buildings or construction of new agricultural buildings for the purpose of accommodating agricultural manufacturing, value added farm products, on-farm diversified uses, or new/innovative farm related agriculture and agri-business uses
  • Tourism: improvement/expansion of new or existing tourism-based properties and/or businesses.
  • Sustainability: green infrastructure projects that meet the County’s Green Building Standards, or equivalent.

*Preference will be given to projects that have multiple aspects of the above eligibility.


How to Apply

Step One: Contact your municipality to apply for local and County grants.

 Local Contacts
  • Township of Centre Wellington (Fergus, Elora, Belwood)
    George Borovilos, Manager of Economic Development, 519.846.9691 x304 or email.
  • Town of Erin (Hillsburgh, Erin)
    Robyn Mulder, Economic Development Officer, 519.855.4407 x241 or email.
  • Guelph Eramosa Township (Rockwood, Ariss, Eden Mills)
    Ian Roger, CAO, 519.856.9596 x105 or email.
  • Township of Mapleton (Drayton, Moorefield, Alma)
    Aly Hill, Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator, 519.638.3313 x042 or email.
  • Town of Minto (Clifford, Harriston, Palmerston)
    Belinda Wick-Graham, Director of Economic and Community Development, 519.338.2511 x241 or email.
  • Township of Puslinch (Aberfoyle, Morriston)
    Glenn Schwendinger, CAO/Clerk, 519.763.1226 x214 or email.
  • Township of Wellington North (Arthur, Mount Forest, Kenilworth)
    Dale Small, Economic Development Officer, 519.848.3620 x4234 or email.

Step Two: The municipality will escalate the project to the County of Wellington review team if applicable.

Step Three: Start your project! Grant payments are made when projects are complete.

For more information on the County of Wellington's CIP, contact Economic Development by calling 519.837.2600 x2611 or via e-mail.

 

© 2023 County of Wellington, 74 Woolwich St. Guelph, Ontario N1H 3T9, T 519.837.2600, TF 1.800.663.0750, F 519.837.1909