The Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal's Community Improvement Plans (CIP) promote revitalization, private investment, and economic development in both the villages of Cardinal and Spencerville. Each CIP offers financial incentives and planning assistance for improvements to your infrastructure, streetscapes, and public space.

How to apply for funding

If you’re a tenant or property owner within a CIP area boundary and you're planning an improvement project, you may be eligible for funding.

  1. Check that your property is within the CIP area boundary for Cardinal or Spencerville.
  2. Review the Community Improvement Plan for Cardinal or Spencerville to ensure your project meets the general eligibility and program requirements.
  3. Schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss your proposal by email or phone at 613-658-3055 x101. 

Cardinal CIP

If your project:

Please gather any required documents and complete your online application.

Complete the online Cardinal CIP application

Spencerville CIP

If your project:

Please gather any required documents and complete your online application.

Complete the online Spencerville CIP application

Financial incentive programs

Explore the financial incentive programs available as part of our CIP program. Each program has unique requirements for project eligibility. Review the Community Improvement Plan for Cardinal or Spencerville for additional information.

Facade and property improvement

Facade and property improvement grants are available to help you improve your front, rear, or sidewall facade in commercial and mixed use buildings. You can receive a rebate up to $5,000 while benefiting the aesthetics of our village’s streetscapes and the impression that we make on visitors.

This includes storefront doors, windows, brickwork, architectural details, light fixtures, commercial signage, landscaping, parking areas, driveways, and more.

Application and permit fees rebate program
We can provide up to $5,000 to offset normal planning application fees and building permit fees. We understand that application and permit fees can sometimes be a barrier to your next project and investment. We can help!

Housing improvement program
Start improving the quality and attractiveness of your rental units to a wider range of income groups, which helps to support businesses in our village cores. Apply for grants for rehabilitating your rental space or converting non-residential space to residential space in the upper level of your commercial buildings. We have grants available for up to $1,500 per unit, to a maximum of 4 units.

Heritage property improvement

Apply for grants up to $7,500 for the repair, restoration, rehabilitation or preservation of your designated heritage building or property (in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act). This grant is also available to undertake an architectural or design study in relation to restoring a heritage building or property.

Tax increment equivalent grant program

If your municipal property tax has increased as a result of community improvement activities, the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program offers you rebates to help. The grant is paid each year for up to 10 years, in decreasing amounts, to allow time for you to adjust to the new tax assessment.

Project feasibility program (Cardinal only)
Explore the feasibility of building reuse, rehabilitation, or development/redevelopment of land. This grant for up to $5,000 is available to help with the cost of undertaking a study to examine the feasibility of rehabilitating your buildings and structures, or the development of lands, for its use by commercial or mixed use tenants.