Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre has expanded its community improvement grant program. Grants are now available for people looking to build additional residential units, or ARU’s, on their property. As well, loans will be provided for businesses wanting to build recreational facilities.
The changes have been in the works for months, but the marketing began this spring following approval by Middlesex Centre council at its April 22nd meeting.
Under the Community Improvement Plan, or CIP, project grants have traditionally provided for things like facade improvements or signage. And that will remain, with a monetary cap by the municipality that will be unchanged.
The addition of money to help people build additional residential units was initially pegged at a maximum of $8,000 per application when the program was first discussed by municipal staff, but that amount was increased to $15,000 by the time the matter came before council this spring.
“The reason for this is we have done some research into some more programs around the community and we did feel that $8,000 was relatively low,” Manager of Planning & Development Stephanie Bergman told council. “When we get closer to the GTA, when we move through some of the larger urban centres, the grants were significantly higher; upwards of $40,000… per unit. So, we do feel that increasing it from $8,000 to $15,000 is an appropriate number here in Middlesex Centre,” added Bergman.
Money to support the grants will come from the $4 million Housing Accelerator Fund Middlesex Centre received from the province. That comes in at $120,000 for this particular CIP incentive. But is it enough? That’s the question Deputy Mayor John Brennan raised when the matter came up for discussion at council. “I see going forward this is going to be a very important thing for families, especially with our aging population who want an ARU for their parents… is $120,000 going to be adequate or do we need to take a hard look at it and see if we should be putting more aside?” asked Brennan.
In terms of funding for more recreational facilities, that will be in the form of a loan. “We have set the maximum to $2.5 million per application and that may be approved with repayment terms up to 15 years. And the interest for that would be set at the prevailing Infrastructure Ontario rate at the time of approval,” Bergman told council. “Applicants have to demonstrate the financial capacity, meet ownership and security requirements to secure the loan and provide appropriate collateral,” added Bergman.
Further information on the CIP program can be found on the Middlesex Centre website.
