Last year, over $385,000 in grants and in-kind donations were distributed by the City of Timmins to local businesses, property owners, and volunteer organizations. Approximately $258,000 was handed out under the City’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan, and over $128,000 was handed out to support non-profit and volunteer organizations. Applications for 2024 are now being accepted.
The City’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan allows the municipality to support the use, reuse and restoration of buildings, land, and infrastructure through municipal incentive programs, like grants and tax rebates. The Downtown Community Improvement Plan targets specific downtown areas and can assist with building or façade improvements. New businesses in a designated downtown area can apply for a parking fee and transit grant to support employees with a 50% reduction for parking passes or transit passes for a period of one-year. Grant opportunities can help reduce costs related to City planning and building fees. Maximum grant amounts and eligibility varies for each grant and tax rebate.
In late 2023, City Council also approved expanding the Safety Improvement Grant to include all businesses in Timmins. Now, local business owners in commercial, industrial, institutional, or rural zones, and legally non-conforming commercial, industrial, or institutional businesses (excluding home-based businesses) on residentially zoned properties, can apply for a safety improvement grant to add safety features, such as security cameras and fencing, to their business property. The same amendments now allow business owners to continue to apply for a safety improvement grant, for multiple projects, up to a maximum grant amount of 75% of costs or $7,500.
Local non-profit and volunteer groups may be eligible for grants or in-kind donations through the City’s Grants to Organizations and Groups fund. Grants can be issued to cover general operating expenses, or costs related to a special event that is of cultural, social, or recreational significance. In-kind donations of municipal property or facilities, like arena rentals, can help groups reduce the cost of hosting festivals or events in accessible municipal spaces.
Application forms, eligibility requirements, and details for each grant, tax rebate, or in-kind donation opportunity are available on the City’s website at Timmins.ca.
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