1. Agreement: By signing this Form, all Applicants participating in any Community Improvement Plan incentive
program agree that they have entered into an agreement with Norfolk County binding them to the conditions
and criteria contained in this document and any associated Policy.
2. Application and Approval Required before Work Commences: All Applicants shall submit an application for
the specific grant(s) to Norfolk County prior to the commencement of any works. Financial incentives offered
in the Community Improvement Plan will not be offered retroactively for costs incurred prior to the approval of
the application.
3. Required Documentation – All Applications: All Applicants shall submit drawings and/or plans, two (2) cost
estimates and other details with their application as may be required to satisfy Norfolk County with respect to
the eligible costs of the project and conformity of the project with the Community Improvement Plan.
a. Environmental Remediation Grant Applications: Applicants shall also submit copies of any
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) indicating remedial work and Phase III ESA
(Remedial Work Plans) documentation. (See Form Section F.)
b. Property Tax Increment Grant Applications: Applicants shall also submit a written report
demonstrating specific performance expectations directly related to full-time permanent job
creation, capital investment, business expansion, community and downtown revitalization
goals, etc. (See Form Section G).
4. Tax Arrears, Other Payments and Claims: Lands or buildings shall not be eligible to participate in the
program if they have any tax arrears or any other legal claim, lien, or order that may adversely affect title of
the property, other than a mortgage in good standing. All utilities and any other municipal financial obligations
must be up to date. Information shall be disclosed in this regard by the Applicant when applying.
5. Eligibility: Each Policy in the Community Improvement Plan outlines eligible areas, applicants, projects and
costs.
6. Public Disclosure of Information: Information regarding the grant amount issued, nature of the project and
photographs thereof, total investment of the project by the private sector, and address of the property to
which the grants are associated are all public information that will be included in promotional material and/or
in media releases published by Norfolk County. Applicants shall permit this information to be released to the
public and to participate in public reviews of the program in future.
7. Priority Applications: In the event that the budget remaining for the year is insufficient to fund all applications
on hand, projects demonstrating the greatest impact to the community (i.e. job creation and total capital
investment) will be chosen for funding. Norfolk County may discontinue or cancel a program at the sole
discretion of Council.
8. Maximum Grants Available per Property: The total amount of financial incentives in the form of grants (where
Community Improvement Programs are combined) shall not exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).
9. Cost of Rehabilitation: The total of the grant(s) provided under the Community Improvement Plan shall not
exceed the total cost of rehabilitating the land and buildings;
10. Assignee Permission: Approved grants are not transferable to any other property, but may be transferred to a
new owner of an approved property, provided the new owner agrees to the terms and conditions of the grant.
11. Approval Process: All applications and agreements must be approved by the General Manager of
Development and Cultural Services, or designate, except for the Tax Increment Grant Program, which must
be approved by Norfolk County Council.
12. Approval Period: Written confirmation of the commitment will be given and will be valid for six (6) months. If
eligible improvements are not completed within this time, the commitment may receive a justifiable extension
to a maximum of 12 months, at the General Manager’s discretion.
13. Project Completion: The Chief Building Official or designate (and, where required, the Fire Chief or
designate) will inspect and approve improvements of the building upon completion, as required.
Improvements must be consistent with any existing design guidelines or other policies. For the grant to be
paid, the final project must be significantly consistent with the project outlined at the application stage.
Otherwise, staff may refuse to issue a grant. If a building is demolished prior to the completion of the related
work, the grant is forfeited and will be recovered by Norfolk County. Norfolk County may undertake an audit
of work completed and associated costs if it is deemed necessary.