Grant Opportunity for owners and tenants of commercial and industrial properties in Toronto. Applications close on June 30th, 2023, or when funds are expended.

The CaféTO Property Improvement Program, funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, supports local small businesses’ recovery and success.

Available Funding

• Grants cover one-half of the costs of eligible property or site improvements up to a maximum amount of $5,000 (based on a minimum of $10,000 of improvements). Funding can include patio improvements on private property and spaces on public property for which a valid permit has been issued.

• Additional grant funding of up to $2,500 is available for exterior accessibility improvements such as the installation of temporary platforms level to the sidewalk for a curb lane café (rented, leased, or purchased), accessible ramps for patios on private property, handrails and other exterior accessibility devices which meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards.

• Architectural, engineering from a certified Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) specialist and Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) registered designer fees may be covered to a maximum of $1,000 per application.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The CaféTO Property Improvement Program is available to owners and tenants of commercial and industrial properties in Toronto to improve the appearance and/or function of their curb lane cafes, commercial patios, and sidewalk cafes.

Eligible projects include

• Permanent improvements to patio or café spaces on private property that serve a business use excluding furnishings

• Café spaces on City property for which a valid permit has been issued

• Permanent on-site boulevard landscaping features (excluding plant material)

• Fencing

• Installation of a temporary platform level to the sidewalk for a curb lane café (rented, leased, or purchased), accessible ramps for patios on private property, handrails, and other exterior accessibility improvements which meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards

NOTE THAT

• Only one property application from a business chain/franchise will be considered

• Applications that include a temporary platform take priority

Ineligible projects include

• Maintenance costs of existing property elements, such as lighting and broken windows

• Repairs to signs, removal or cleaning of bird droppings from signs, replacement of dead trees and other landscaping vegetation, or replace chipped driveway pavers, etc.

• Applications for work totaling less than $2,000

• Places of worship, institutional buildings, not-for-profit commercial buildings, and residential buildings are not eligible for this program.

HOW TO APPLY

You can find the application in the City of Toronto article, complete it, and submit it to cafetogrants@toronto.ca.

Applications for this program are due by Friday, June 30th, 2023, or when funds are expended. Applications are considered on a first-in, first-reviewed basis.

For more information, view the original article on the City of Toronto’s Website. You can also check out the City of Toronto website for more information on grants and grant programs for small businesses within Toronto.

As always, we will keep you posted on any open grant programs within the province!

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