Economic Revitalization Community Improvement Plan

The City of Windsor's Economic Revitalization Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which came into effect on March 15, 2011, provides financial incentives to encourage new investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes diversifying the local economy and creating/retaining jobs. The CIP allows the City to take a variety of measures - to further the objectives of the Economic Revitalization CIP - that would otherwise be prohibited by Ontario's Municipal Act. This includes the acquisition and preparation of land; construction, repair, rehabilitation or improvement of buildings; the sale, lease or disposal of land and buildings; and the provision of grants to owners or tenants of land - all of which must conform with the objectives and policies contained within the CIP.

Financial Incentive Programs

The Economic Revitalization CIP contains four financial incentive programs to encourage new investment in targeted economic sectors. These programs address a wide range of business types including new businesses considering locating in Windsor, expansion of existing businesses within the City, and small businesses.

Program Name	Description
Business Development Grant Program	Grant equivalent up to 100 percent of the municipal property tax increase created by the project for up to 10 years after project completion. Project must create a minimum of 50 new jobs within the manufacturing sector or more than 20 jobs within any other targeted sector(s).
Business Retention and Expansion Grant Program	Grant equivalent up to 100 percent of the municipal property tax increase created by the project for up to 10 years after project completion. Project must create or retain a minimum of 50 jobs within the manufacturing sector or create more than 20 jobs or retain a minimum of 35 jobs within any other targeted sector(s).
Small Business Investment Grant Program	Grant equivalent up to 100 percent of the municipal property tax increase created by the project for up to 10 years after project completion. Business must have less than 50 employees, if in the manufacturing sector, or less than 20 in any other targeted sector(s). Investment must result in a minimum increase of $25,000 in assessed property value.
Development Charges Grant Program	Applicants successful in obtaining one of the above mentioned grants may be eligible to receive a grant to offset up to 100 percent of development charges paid for a project.

What Types of Businesses are Eligible to Apply for Financial Incentives?

The purpose of the Economic Revitalization CIP is to encourage local economic diversification within identified sectors. Therefore, only businesses/projects that fall within the sectors/uses set out below will be eligible to apply for funding under any of the grant programs. An eligible catalyst project that does not fall within these sectors/uses may also be eligible to apply for the Business Development Grant and Business Retention and Expansion Grant Programs (Please download the full CIP below, or contact City staff for additional details regarding eligible uses).

Sector	Eligible Uses
Professional Services	Business Incubator Computer Programming Services Computer Systems Design Services Industrial Design Services Research and Development Testing Laboratories
Renewable and Alternative Energy	Manufacturing Research and Development Cogeneration Facilities Renewable Energy Power Generation
Creative Industries	Performing Arts Facilities Museums Computer Software Developer Digital and Media Studios
Health & Life Sciences	Manufacturing Research & Development
Management of Companies and Enterprises	Corporate Office Head Office
Manufacturing	All Manufacturing Types
Tourism	Tourist Attraction
Warehousing/Logistics	Warehouse

How Do I Apply?

Contact the City of Windsor's Planning Department to discuss your economic development project. City staff will advise you of the programs that you may be eligible for and guide you through the application process.

For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, contact us at: