Grant Program Offers $5,000 Towards Exterior Improvements, Complements Other Downtown Development Incentives
PRINCE RUPERT, FEBRUARY 1st, 2024 – Starting February 1st, the City’s Economic Development Office is accepting applications from local businesses in the downtown core that are looking to make exterior improvements.
“One of the most consistent messages we hear from residents is that they want to see more community pride in the downtown,” said Paul Vendittelli, Director of Economic Development and Transportation. “We don’t own the buildings, but this program is a way for us to support building and business owners in making the changes the community wants to see. We also have a number of other initiatives that we offer to businesses to help ease the up front costs of improvements.”
Funding of $20,000 for this program is generously provided by Northern Development Initiative Trust. NDIT provides this funding to support local governments in the North in encouraging private sector investment and revitalization.
“The Business Façade Improvement Program is an excellent way for local governments and local businesses to work together to not only enhance their downtown, but also build confidence and pride within the community,” said Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust.
For full program details on the Business Façade Improvement grant, including the application form, eligible expenses, and more, head to our website.
The City would also like to take the opportunity to remind our business community about the many other incentive programs that have been put into place over the past few years.
For instance, City Council has put into place a Downtown Core Revitalization Tax Exemption Program to encourage redevelopment and revitalization in our community's downtown. The program incentivizes construction or redevelopment of buildings used for commercial, light industrial or multiple family residential purposes by exempting them from municipal property taxes for a set period. More information on that program is here.
This Winter, City Council also passed regulations relaxing parking requirements in a set area in the downtown core. Understanding the physical and economic constraints of providing off-street parking in Prince Rupert's downtown city core, the Parking Specified Area waives off-street minimum parking stall requirements for new or upgraded commercial and mixed use developments. See below for a map of where the Parking Specified Area applies, and check out our Zoning Bylaw for detailed requirements.
Lastly, the City has also waived all Development Permit, Variance, OCP amendment, Rezoning and Building Permit fees in the downtown core. The above fee waivers also apply to any development in Prince Rupert that results in a new housing unit. These programs currently run until December 31st, 2024, at which point Council will reconsider whether to extend the waivers.
For additional information on current incentive programs, head to: https://www.princerupert.ca/business-resources
For additional information on the Business Façade Improvement program, contact:
Paul Vendittelli,
Director of Economic Development and Transportation
Office: (250) 627 5138
Email: paul.vendittelli@princerupert.ca
MEDIA CONTACT:
Veronika Stewart, Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development
Office: (250) 627 0976
Cell: (778) 884 6285
Email: veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca