HYPE - Helping your Place Excel

• Agriculture & Agri-Tourism – On-farm diversification, value-added agriculture, and environmental improvements.
• Brownfield Redevelopment – Remediation of contaminated sites for sustainable land use.
• Affordable Housing & Secondary Dwellings – Increasing housing stock through conversions or new units.
• Energy Efficiency & Environmental Enhancements – Renewable energy, climate resiliency, and eco-friendly initiatives.
• Accessibility Improvements – Upgrades to meet the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Commercial, Institutional & Industrial Development – Façade, signage, and building enhancements.
• Regional Trail Expansion – Improved access, new trails, and supporting infrastructure.

• Town of Arnprior
• Town of Deep River
• Town of Petawawa
• Town of Renfrew
• Admaston/Bromley Township
• Bonnechere Valley Township
• Horton Township
• Laurentian Valley township
• Whitewater Region Township

Click on the applicable municipality above to access their local Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program information and application.

Eligible applicants are registered owners or tenants (upon written landowner consent) of land or buildings within the municipality. Projects can be for the benefit of the business or the community.

Objective
To assist and support on-farm diversification, innovation, automation, agri-tourism, as well as improvements and/or rehabilitation of the environment around farming operations.

Grant Amount and Details

This grant may be approved for up to 50% of the eligible cost of the improvements, to a maximum of $7,500. The following costs may be eligible:

1. Infrastructure or systems that add value to agricultural operations, such as processing or direct-to-consumer facilities.
2. Projects that develop or support agri-tourism opportunities.

To encourage improvements to a building to make a space more accessible.

Grant Amount and Details

This grant may be provided on approved applications for up to 50% of the eligible cost, to a maximum of $5,000. Eligible projects include:

1. Upgrades and conversions to buildings and facilities that improve accessibility and safety that comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Objective
To assist with the development of new affordable housing units.

Grant Amount and Details

On approved applications this grant will cover up to 50% of the eligible cost, to a maximum of $15,000, for the creation of affordable housing units. Affordable rental housing is defined as a unit with rent set between 80% and 100% of the Average Market Rent (AMR) for the community, based on figures determined annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). An agreement is required with the local municipality to maintain the unit at the current market rate for a period of at least 10 years. Eligible costs include:

a. Creation of new and/or conversion of existing space into new affordable housing units.

b. Installation of infrastructure that will support higher-density housing developments.

c. Engineering, environmental, architect or other technical studies related to the creation or conversion to affordable housing units.

To promote environmental improvements and energy efficiency within communities, specifically for affordable housing and not-for-profit housing units.

Grant Amount and Details

This grant may be provided on approved applications for up to 50% of the eligible cost, to a maximum of $5,000. Eligible projects include:

1. Retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, and roofing.
2. Installing geothermal systems, or heat pumps.
3. Upgrading to LED lighting and smart energy management systems.

To encourage remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites to promote sustainable land use. Land upon which there has been previous industrial, institutional, commercial, or open land use or other uses as prescribed under the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.19 and Ontario Regulation 153/04, and for which site remediation is required in accordance with a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment.

Grant Amount and Details

1. Brownfield Remediation Assistance (BRA)

This grant may be provided on approved applications for up to 50% of the eligible cost, to a maximum of $15,000. Eligible costs include:

1. Excavation and removal (dig and dump).
2. In-situ treatments (e.g., bioremediation, chemical oxidation).
3. Capping and containment.
4. Groundwater treatment.
5. The services of a professional engineer or qualified technicians/contractors for the project.

2. Brownfield Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (BTIEG)

Project eligibility includes:

1. Approval of a Brownfield Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (BTIEG) by a local municipality under its Community Improvement Program, including the execution of a grant agreement between the municipality and the property owner.

Additional Program Details

Amount of funding provided for approved projects will not exceed $15,000 per year. Each project requires specific approval from the County of Renfrew’s Development & Property Committee and County Council as this represents a multi-year commitment. For applications approved under the Brownfield Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (BTIEG) Program, the County will provide an annual tax increment based grant for up to 10 years after project completion and occupancy. The applicant will initially pay for the entire eligible costs of the project. Once the project is completed, occupied, and the County receives the incremental property taxes that result from the approved project, the County will reimburse the municipality in the form of an annual grant as follows which in turn will be reimbursed to the applicant.

Once the approved project is complete and occupied, the County of Renfrew will begin collecting the increased property taxes that result from the rehabilitation/redevelopment project. The County will then reimburse the property owner (through the local municipality) in the form of an annual grant equivalent to 100% of the County property taxes on the increased taxes. Approval of a BTIEG is for a time of up to 10 years, or up to the time when total grant payments equal the total eligible program costs, or whichever comes first.

Objective
To assist with improvements to a building’s façade or signage, or to assist with other eligible improvements to private property (e.g., parking and landscaping).

Grant Amount and Details

1. Façade Improvement Project: May cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000 (or $15,000 for multi-address buildings or corner lot). Eligible costs include:
   1. Enhancements or improvements to exterior building treatments (e.g., brickwork, cladding, painting, windows, doors).
   2. Chemical or façade cleaning.
   3. Outdoor art (e.g., murals).
2. Signage Improvement Project: May cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $2,500 (or $4,000 for multi-address buildings).
3. Property Improvement Project: May cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000.
   Eligible costs include:

1. Addition of landscaping features and elements (i.e., trees, vegetation, fencing, benches).
2. Addition of or upgrades to parking areas.

Objective
To assist with the improvement of existing buildings to improve aesthetics, bring buildings up to current Building or Fire Code standards.

Grant Amount and Details

Building improvement/restoration projects may cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000. Eligible projects include:

1. Structural repairs/replacements to walls, ceilings, floors, roofing, windows, doors and foundations.
2. Services or technical reports requiring a professional engineer, architect, or planner.

Objective
To promote projects that provide natural environmental gain, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or other pollutants.

Grant Amount and Details
This grant may be approved for up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000. Eligible projects include:

1. Low Impact Designed storm water management facilities.
2. Cattle fencing that provides measurable positive environmental impacts to waterways.
3. Shoreline restoration projects improving natural vegetation to riparian areas. *Note – this specific grant is subject to the requirement that the applicable local municipality has a by-law for the protection of the natural vegetation along shorelines in the municipality. *
4. Capital expenses that align with the County climate action goals.

Objective
To promote the development, preservation, management, and expansion of trails, especially those connecting to regional trail networks.

Grant Amount and Details
This grant may be approved for up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000. Eligible costs include:

1. Upgrade, enhancement, or construction of Trail including bridges, culverts, brushing, etc.
2. Installation of signage, lookouts, other trail furniture (i.e., benches, tables, garbage cans, active fitness).
3. Acquisition of land essential for trail connections.
4. Creation or improvement of trail access and parking areas.

1. All owners and authorized tenants of lands/buildings within the approved area designated by a local CIP by-law are eligible.
2. Non-profit organizations are eligible for HYPE grants.
3. Projects must demonstrate improvement or rehabilitation beyond simple life-cycle replacement.
4. Projects must contribute to achieving one or more County regional economic goals and comply with local regulations.
5. Application reviews commence no sooner than the third Friday in March each year.
6. Additional applications (after March) accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis if funds remain.
7. Applicants must disclose all other funding sources.
8. The total combined value of grants per property per year cannot exceed $15,000.
9. Grants will not be applied retroactively.
10. Fees must be paid in full before reimbursement.
11. Properties must be free of outstanding permits, taxes, and accounts receivable before funding is distributed.
12. Approved work must be completed within twelve (12) months unless an extension is approved.
13. Funding will not cover labour provided by the applicant.
14. Municipalities must submit a project invoice to the HYPE Program administrator for approval.
15. Funding is capped at 50% of eligible project costs with a maximum limit per category.
16. County contributions cannot exceed municipal contributions.
17. Funding will be distributed to applicants via the municipality after project completion verification.

• Agriculture-related uses: Farm-related commercial and industrial uses that are directly related to farm operations.
• Agri-tourism: Farm-related tourism uses promoting education or activities related to the farm operation.
• Brownfield Remediation Assistance (BRA): a financial incentive used to encourage the redevelopment of brownfield sites, which are properties with potential environmental contamination.
• Brownfield Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (BTIEG): a financial tax incentive used to encourage the redevelopment of brownfield sites, which are properties with potential environmental contamination.
• Community Improvement Plan (CIP): a financial incentive planning tool used by municipalities to revitalize specific areas within their boundaries.
• Façade: The front or exterior walls of a building exposed to the public facing view.
• Life-cycle replacement: A noticeable improvement to a building or property (e.g., replacing windows, shingles).
• Roofed accommodations: Permanent, fixed roof accommodations within or as extensions to existing buildings.
• Owner: The registered owner of lands and includes successors, assignees, agents, and affiliated corporations.
• Tenants: Individuals who occupy rented properties.
• Not-for-profit: Entities that reinvest surplus funds into their mission, rather than for profit.
• Affordable housing: Affordable rental housing is defined as a unit with rent set between 80% and 100% of the Average Market Rent (AMR) for the community, based on figures determined annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).