Community Improvement Plans

Gateway CIP provides financial incentives to property owners who revitalize, strengthen and diversify the economy in Welland by promoting private sector investment, development, redevelopment, and construction activity on employment lands in the Gateway CIP Project Area. To date the Gateway CIP will assist in generating approximately 1,099,145 Sq. Ft. of new industrial/commercial space. This will include approximately $388,449,951.00 in total private sector investment and create/retain approximately 600 jobs.

Three Incentive Programs are available through the Gateway CIP:

Tax Increment Grant (TIG) Provides eligible projects with an annual property tax reimbursement of between 40% and 100% for five to ten years to eligible property owners

Development Charge Exemption/Grant 100% exemption of City Development Charges payable for industrial uses within the CIP Area and the City as a whole. And, up to 100% Reduction of Regional Development Charges for exceptional projects that meet CIP criteria (The Grant payment is capped at $1.5 million).

Planning Application Fee Grant Provides eligible projects a grant of 100% of the applicable City Planning Application Fees.

More information is available here:

• Niagara Gateway CIP
• Niagara Gateway CIP Application Information Package

Brownfield CIP provides a framework of financial incentive programs, strategies, and actions to encourage and promote remediation and redevelopment of Brownfield properties within the defined project area.

Four Incentive Programs are available through the Brownfield CIP:

Environmental Study Grant Provides a grant equal to 50% of the cost of up to 2 eligible environmental studies to a maximum grant of $20,000 per environmental study. The grant payment is capped at $35,000 per project.

Brownfields Tax Assistance Program Cancellation of Municipal (City and Region) and Education property taxes for up to three years

Brownfields Tax Increment Grant (TIG) Provides eligible projects with an annual property tax reimbursement of up to 100% for up to fifteen years to eligible property owners.

Brownfields Fees Grant Provides a grant equal to 100% of all planning and building permit fees.

Brownfields Development Charge Exemption Program There is no application for this program. However, an applicant with an approved Application and Agreement under the Brownfield Grant process is eligible to receive up to 100% of the Development Charges payable.

More information is available here:

• Welland Brownfield Community Improvement Plan
• Brownfield Incentive Application Form
• Environmental Study (ESG) Grant Program Guide
• Tax Assistance (BTA) / Tax Increment (BTIG) Grant Program Guide
• Fees Grant (BFG) Program Guide

Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster CIP provides financial incentive programs to nurture revitalization, reinforce diversity in downtown as a transit supportive area, and encourage strength in the Health and Wellness Cluster.

Seven Incentive Programs are available through the Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster CIP:

Urban Design Study Grant Provides a grant equal to 50% of cost for an urban design study and/or professional architectural design drawing(s) up to of $2,500 per property/project.

Facade Improvement Grant Provides a grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible façade projects to eligible buildings to maximum grant per property/project of $12,500. AND, a separate grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible side and/or rear facade projects to eligible buildings up to a maximum grant of $7,500 per property/project may be provided where side and/or rear facades are highly visible.

Building Improvement Grant Provides a grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible projects to buildings to a maximum grant per property/project of $12,500

Residential Grant Provides a grant equal to $15 per sq. ft. of created or renovated residential space to a maximum grant of $15,000 per unit and a maximum of 4 units per property/project (maximum grant per property/ project is $60,000);

Tax Increment Grant (TIG) Provides eligible projects with an annual property tax reimbursement of 80% for ten years to eligible property owners.

Planning and Building Fees Provides a Grant equal to 100% of all planning, building permit and sign permit fees to a maximum total grant of $5,000 per property/project.

Development Charge Reduction Program 75% reduction of City development charges within the CIP area and an additional 25% City development charge reduction is available for projects that meet smart growth design criteria. AND, eligible projects can receive up to a 50% refund of payable Regional development charges.

More information is available here:

• City of Welland Community Improvement Plan for the Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster
• Downtown Health and Wellness Cluster CIP General Program Requirements
• Downtown Health and Wellness Cluster Incentive Programs Application form
• Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster City Development Charge Reduction Information Sheet
• Facade Improvement Grant Program Guide
• Planning and Building Fees Grant Program Guide
• Residential Grant Program Guide
• Tax Increment Grant Program Guide
• Urban Design Study Grant Program Guide
• City of Welland Urban Design Guidelines