A variety of community, federal and provincial grants, loans, tax credits, and support programs are available to help businesses grow. Our office also can assist businesses connect with resources to help the funding application process. Accompanying letters of support from the City can also be provided to supplement the application package upon request.
The City has been a big force in both helping us start up the business and also getting started with the people and incentives that are required to get going.
Sergio Cipriani, Blanking Operations Manager, Samuel Metal Blanking
City of Brantford Economic Development support services
We can help your company establish its presence in Brantford with a variety of resources and services such as:
- designating City staff to work with and guide your company through the municipal approval process and assist in expediting any municipal approvals required;
- assisting with temporary office space location search, as required, and related professional services, as requested (legal, accounting, banking, real estate);
- assisting with community integration process relating to healthcare, education, housing and lifestyle amenities;
- provide community familiarization tours as requested;
- familiarizing staff with the local services accessible through Newcomer Connections Brantford-Brant;
- assisting Foreign Direct Investments in securing work visas through local MP Office;
- accessing a wide range of entrepreneurial services available through the Business Resource Centre; and,
- exploring additional funding opportunities available through Enterprise Brant - one of 24 provincial Community Futures Development Corporations.
Small business and start-ups supports
The Business Resource Centre (BRC) offers free business advice with expert advisors who have hands-on business experience. The BRC also provides free business workshops so you can learn more about starting and growing your business, and meet other business owners.
Municipal incentives and grants
A variety of municipal incentives and grants are designed to help shape the growth and success of our community. The following overview can help you navigate what is available. To learn more about eligibility for these programs and to see if your project or property would qualify, please email planning@brantford.ca to speak to a Senior Planner in Long Range Planning.
Please note, the details on this page reflect only a summary of the source documentation (original reports and documents/pages reflecting specific program information). Please refer to the source documentation for full and updated information. When in conflict, the information in the source documentation will be considered accurate.
Downtown financial incentives
The Downtown Community Improvement Plan outlines the financial incentives available for new development and revitalization projects within Downtown Brantford. All projects must be located within the Downtown CIP project area (Appendix A). All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
| Property Tax Increment-Based Grant |
|
For projects that construct new residential units within existing or new buildings and results in higher property assessment value, this grant awards funding equal to a percentage of the incremental property tax increase to offset eligible construction costs. Eligible projects New buildings or existing buildings that incorporate new residential units that result in an increase in property assessment value. Grant amount There are 3 grant streams which provide a different schedule of payment over a 10 year period. The 3 grant streams are:
It is noted that affordable housing rental units must meet the definition provided in the CIP and be governed by a Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement with the City of Brantford, to ensure the units continue to be maintained as affordable for a minimum of 20 years, and must be participating in a federal and/or provincial housing program. |
Brownfield financial incentives
The Brownfield Community Improvement Plan outlines the financial incentives available for remediation projects that require the property owner to file a Record of Site Condition under provincial regulations. All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
| Financial Tax Incentive Program (BFTIP) |
|
For owners who are required to file a Record of Site Condition under provincial regulations to apply for building permits, this grant awards funding equal to the applicable development charges to offset eligible remediation expenses. Eligible expenses include direct works associated with the removal of contamination, and direct consulting work to file the Record of Site Condition. The applicable development charges (DC) determined at the time of applying for a building permit will be reduced to offset approved remediation expenses. |
| Brownfield Development Charges Reduction Program |
|
This program reduced development charges for owners who must file a Record of Site Condition under provincial regulations to allow for the redevelopment of a property. |
Greyfield financial incentives
For commercial, institutional, or light industrial properties that are vacant or underutilized, the Greyfields Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides funding to address three types of improvements. All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
Check out additional information on these programs.
| Property Tax Increment Based Grant |
|
For projects that construct a new mixed use multi-storey development, including residential units within existing or new buildings which results in an increase in property assessment value, this grant awards funding equal to a percentage of the incremental property tax increase to offset eligible construction costs. Projects that include affordable housing units are eligible to receive a greater value grant. There are 3 grant streams which provide a different schedule of payment over a 10 year period. The 3 grant streams are:
It is noted that affordable housing rental units must meet the definition provided in the CIP and be governed by a Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement with the City of Brantford, to ensure the units continue to be maintained as affordable for a minimum of 20 years, and must be participating in a federal and/or provincial housing program. |
| Commercial Facade, Landscaping and Connectivity Improvement Grant |
|
A one-time grant is available for projects that improve the aesthetic appeal or the site plan design and function of the property. For projects located within the Greyfield Target Areas only, project includes façade upgrades, landscaping, or site amenities that improve walkability or barrier free access. More detailed examples of eligible projects are outlined in the Greyfields CIP. Project construction value must be a minimum of $10,000. |
| Mixed Use Building Improvement Grant |
|
For projects located within the Greyfield Target Areas only, project includes transforming groundfloor residential to commercial uses or adding new uses to an upper-storey. Adding decorative and finishing elements, furniture, or other non-permanent or moveable fixtures are not eligible. More detailed examples of eligible projects are outlined in the Greyfields CIP. |
Additional financial incentives
| Lead Financial Incentive Program |
|
Offers a grant and an interest-bearing loan towards the replacement of private lead water service pipes. |
| Private Sanitary Sewer Lateral Replacement Grant |
|
Grant to assist with the cost of replacing old sanitary sewer laterals on private property to help stop or reduce sewer blockages. |
Federal and provincial incentives and initiatives
Explore federal and provincial incentives and initiatives with the Concierge Service. This tool is a Government of Canada program that offers free, customized advice to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), connecting them to funding and support programs that will help them grow their business through innovation. Innovation Advisors with extensive technical and entrepreneurial backgrounds are located in communities across the country. Their own business experiences working with innovation support programs are an invaluable resource for Canada's SMEs.
Subscribe to this Page