Written By David Gomez
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX – The municipality is looking to reshape how it supports housing, property improvements and business investment, while introducing a separate incentive program aimed specifically at attracting industrial development and jobs.
During a public meeting on September 2, council reviewed two proposed Community Improvement Plans, or CIPs. The first would repeal and replace the municipality’s 2021 plan, while the second would create a new Industrial and Employment Lands CIP.
CAO Amanda Gubbels said the two plans are intended to work together as a broader economic development framework.
“Our existing general CIP was adopted in 2021, and rather than simply amending that document because there’s a breadth of amendments to many different sections, we are proposing to repeal and replace it with a modernized 2026 plan,” she said.
The updated general CIP would continue offering incentives for property improvements, façades, signage and accessibility work, while expanding support for housing and commercial conversions. Proposed maximum façade grants would rise to $10,000, or as much as $15,000 for certain gateway or priority properties. Rental housing projects and additional residential units could qualify for grants of up to $7,500 per unit.
Gubbels said geographic eligibility would also be simplified by combining several existing areas into one Settlement Area Revitalization Area. Applications could be submitted year-round instead of within a limited annual intake period.
Councillor Martin Vink asked whether additional residential unit grants would extend into rural areas. Gubbels said the proposal currently limits those incentives primarily to designated settlement areas and key corridors, including communities such as Glencoe, Wardsville, Appin and Middlemiss.
The proposed Industrial and Employment Lands CIP would introduce four new incentives, including municipal fee rebates of up to $5,000, servicing connection grants of up to $10,000 within the Glencoe Business and Industrial Park, tax increment grants of up to $50,000 over five years, and strategic industrial investment grants of up to $25,000 with council approval.
“The goal is to reduce upfront development barriers and make Southwest Middlesex more competitive when businesses are deciding where to invest,” Gubbels said.
Council also heard that the municipality had received comments from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Gubbels said staff would review recommendations involving appeal procedures, the proposed Technology Expansion Grant, the definition of attainable rental housing and conservation authority consultation.
A member of the public also asked whether the CIP provides loans or grants. Gubbels confirmed that the program provides grants, noting council has historically budgeted approximately $20,000 annually. She added that Middlesex County participates in a matching arrangement for many eligible grant categories.
Mayor Allan Mayhew said the existing program has seen relatively limited uptake. “There’s no point of having a program if people aren’t using us,” he said. “Let’s tune it to a point where we can get some interest in it.”
No decision on adopting either plan was made on September 2. Council unanimously directed staff to review the comments received and return with recommendations. The plans are expected to come back for consideration on September 16, although council could approve them, amend them or defer a decision.
