Community Improvement Plan

See our Community Improvement Plan!

What is a CIP?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a policy tool used by municipalities to facilitate the redevelopment, rehabilitation, and/or revitalization of selected areas in a municipality. They typically address key issues such as main street upgrades, tourism site redevelopment, accessibility or affordable housing provision within a priority area, known as a Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA).

A CIP is a strategy that guides redevelopment and improvements within a defined area of need. To achieve the strategy, CIPs allow a municipality to take actions such as:

Identify changes needed to land use planning policy, zoning, other by-laws and practices;
Acquire, rehabilitate, and dispose of land;
Provide grants and loans to property owners that would otherwise be unavailable; and,
Direct investments made to infrastructure and public space.

Why is it Important?

One of the most common functions of a CIP is the provision of financial incentives specifically tailored to encourage property owners or tenants to undertake improvement projects that are aligned with the vision of the plan. Examples include facade improvements, accessible access or energy-efficient windows.

Without a CIP, municipalities are prohibited from offering financial assistance to the private sector in any way.

Why did the Economic Development Committee Choose the Downtown Core?

In 2020 the Economic Development Committee initiated a study to build a foundation of a Community Development Plan for Dutton Dunwich. Through this process it found that an area of focus should be on a thriving down. The downtown is the heart of the community, the centre of commercial activity, events and central to a community's tourism activity. It identified that efforts should build upon the appeal of the quaint small-town features and unique retail and services offerings and that businesses should be encouraged to improve the appearance and accessibility of their buildings.