Community Improvement Plan

New Community Improvement Plan Underway

The 2017 Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning and economic development framework that includes financial incentive programs designed to stimulate private sector improvements and development in the Buckhorn Community Improvement Project Area.

The Municipality of Trent Lakes has retained a consultant (RCI Consulting) in 2024 to assist in the review and update of the 2017 Buckhorn CIP.

The consultant, led by the Municipality’s Staff Project Management Team, has now completed work on the Draft Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) and the Draft Incentive Programs to be considered for inclusion in the Buckhorn CIP.

The Municipality of Trent Lakes hosted a Public Meeting which included a Project Update from the consultant, and a presentation of the Draft CIPA and Draft Incentive Programs. Participants were able to fill out a comment sheet, providing their feedback.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, the presentation and comment sheet have been made available below. All feedback will be accepted until March 18, 2024.

View the presentation and provide feedback here.

What is a Community Improvement Plan?

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool used by townships to help revitalize, improve and enhance, through revitalization and redevelopment, targeted areas and communities within a municipality.

2017 Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan

Hanging basket of multi-colored petunias The Municipality of Trent Lakes approved a Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan for the hamlet of Buckhorn that provides guidelines and financial incentives to business property owners to improve, revitalize and rehabilitate their properties within the designated Plan area. Downtown commercial business will find incentives and assistance to improve the overall image and garner attraction to their business.

The purpose of the Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan is to promote community rehabilitation and beautification that will entice residents and visitors to extend their time at the business and potentially be a regular or return visitor. Applications for the Municipality of Trent Lakes Buckhorn.

Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan
Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines
Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan Incentive Guide
Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan Incentive Application
Buckhorn Community Improvement Plan Background Report

Available business incentives

Landscape Improvement Grant

Grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible landscaping, curbing decorative walls, and driveway access/egress improvements.
Commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties
$5,000 maximum grant per property or project
$2000 minimum total project costs

Building Improvement Grant or Loan

Grant

One-time grant equal to 50% of cost of eligible external building improvement works to commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings.
$10,000 maximum grant per property or project.
Grant would include building materials, labour, and professional fees.

Loan

A loan equal to 50% of cost of eligible building improvement works to commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings.
Maximum loan per property or project of $20,000

Building improvements must be undertaken in accordance with the Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines.

Improved Signage Grant

Grant equal to 50% of cost of replacing signage on existing business for a commercial building.
Sign must meet the Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines.
Maximum $1,000 grant per business.
Property owners and or business owners.
Maximum of $1,000 toward the cost of replacing an existing sign that does not comply with the Design Guidelines.
Grants will be paid over two installments with the first installment paid upon completion and installation of the sign and the second installment paid one year following installation of the sign.
Please refer to the Trent Lakes Sign webpage to view the sign By-law.