Brighton businesses looking for some help with facade, landscaping or accessibility improvements may want to check out the Municipality of Brighton’s newly-launched community improvement programs.
Such programs are typically used by municipalities to direct funds towards specific rehabilitation and/or development projects in service of certain goals, explain municipal staff. While Brighton’s overall community improvement plan has several goals, there’s a current push in a few areas underway now, note staff.
Currently, applications are being accepted through the facade improvement rebate program. This is intended to help commercial, residential, or institutional properties make improvements, rehabilitate, and/or improve their facades.
How does it work?
The municipality helps with a rebate for 50 per cent of costs associated with design-related professional fees up to a maximum of $3,000, says staff.
There’s also a facade and landscape design program.
Staff say this program has a similar design (with the addition of landscaping), and the municipality provides a rebate for successful applicants for 50 per cent of facade or landscaping improvements satisfying design criteria up to a maximum of $10,000.
Applications can also now be submitted for the community accessibility fund.
This is meant to help businesses tackle accessibility improvements – interior and exterior – in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians Disabilities Act. Eligible properties include industrial, commercial and mixed-use – the municipality will cover half of the costs up to a maximum of $5,000, explain staff.
Applications are being accepted until July 7.
More information, including details on how to book a pre-consultation meeting, is accessible via Brighton’s website.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
