The City of Timmins says its Downtown Community Plan is increasing in popularity as more businesses apply for and get grants to better their operations.
The plan was first unveiled in 2007 and its intent is to supply funding for property owners to use, reuse, and restore their businesses and homes. Dave St.Onge, the city’s Community Development Planner, says one funding stream is the Façade Improvement Grant, which looks to improve the overall appearance of the downtown. It provides a grant of up to 50% of costs to a maximum of $15,000 to enhance the outer appearance of buildings.
St. Onge adds more businesses could soon become eligible to apply for the grants. “It’s been expanded in the last few years. In 2020 it went from Algonquin all the way to Schumacher and we’re currently reviewing it for additional areas.”
One of the fastest-growing funding streams is the Safety Improvement Grant, something he says has recently been expanded to include the entire city. “Businesses are eligible to apply for improvements such as cameras, security gates, or bars on windows. There is a grant opportunity for 75 percent of the cost to a maximum of $7500.” St. Onge adds the popularity of the overall program has increased since the addition of the Safety Improvement Grant in 2023.
More details can be found on the City of Timmins website.