Invest in Hamilton

Hamilton offers a range of grants and loans to support the revitalization of the city’s commercial districts and corridors. These programs encourage business growth, property improvements, redevelopment, housing creation, and heritage preservation. They are designed to stimulate investment in commercial areas, brownfields, mixed-use corridors, and heritage properties across the city.

Eligibility varies by program; however, applicants may include:

• Property Owners (including businesses that are registered property Owners);
• Developers (with the registered property Owner’s authorization);
• Commercial tenants (with the registered property Owner’s authorization);
• Property Owners of designated heritage properties.

Hamilton’s Economic Development Division offers several types of financial support, including:

• Grants for eligible planning and building application fees;
• Cost-Sharing Grants for eligible façade improvements, accessibility upgrades, interior/exterior renovations, and heritage improvements;
• Tax Increment Grants based on the increase in municipal taxes generated by an eligible redevelopment of a property;
• Housing Loans to support the creation of eligible residential units.

In some cases, yes. Certain programs may be stacked with other municipal, provincial, or federal incentives. However, restrictions vary by program. Each application is reviewed to ensure compliance with program rules and to prevent funding overlap for the same eligible costs. Applicants are encouraged to review program guidelines or consult staff.

Most incentives apply within designated Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPAs), including:

• Downtown Hamilton;
• Community downtowns and village cores (Ancaster, Binbrook, Dundas, Stoney Creek, and Waterdown);
• All 12 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs);
• Strategic urban commercial corridors;
• Mount Hope/Airport Gateway.

Some programs—such as those supporting heritage preservation or brownfield remediation—may also apply more broadly across the city’s urban area or city-wide.

A Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) is a designated geographic area where municipalities target revitalization efforts and offer financial incentives through a Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

Click here to confirm whether your property is located within a designated CIPA.

The City of Hamilton offers several TIG programs, including the Revitalizing Hamilton TIG Program. These grants provide a portion of the increase in municipal property taxes resulting from redevelopment or significant improvements. Payments are made annually and require City Council approval.

Yes. Hamilton offers financial incentives for properties designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, supporting:

• Restoration
• Preservation
• Rehabilitation
• Adaptive reuse

Yes. The Environmental Remediation and Site Enhancement (ERASE) Community Improvement Plan supports Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and remediation of brownfield and environmentally impaired lands.

Yes. Additional programs are available through the City’s Housing Secretariat, funded by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. These programs are designed to accelerate new housing development.

No. Funding is limited to permanent physical building and property improvements in accordance with provincial legislation.

Ineligible costs include (but are not limited to):

• Rent
• Staff wages
• Temporary improvements (e.g., patio furniture)
• Application fees
• Lost revenue subsidies
• Other non-capital or operational expenses

No. Work started before submitting an application is not eligible. Work undertaken after submission but before approval may be eligible; however, applicants do so at their own risk.

Applicants must:

• Review the Council-approved program terms and eligibility criteria;
• Complete and submit the online application form (with required supporting documentation, including plans, quotes, financial details, etc.);
• Pay the application fee.

Applications are reviewed by staff, who then submit recommendations for approval by delegated authority or City Council.

Certain programs require at least two cost estimates to ensure:

• Fair and reasonable pricing;
• Transparency and accountability;
• Consistent evaluation across applications.

This aligns with best practices for publicly funded programs.

Yes. Fees vary by program and are outlined in each application form. Payment can be made by cheque or credit card.

Timelines vary depending on program requirements and project complexity. Factors that may affect timelines include:

• Outstanding building or property standards orders;
• Heritage considerations;
• Design requirements;
• Coordination with external agencies (e.g., CMHC).

For more details on the approval process, click the button below.

Most grants are paid by cheque or electronic funds transfer after project completion and verification.

For TIG programs, the first payment is issued after:

• The first full year following project completion, and
• Property reassessment by MPAC.

Subsequent payments are typically issued annually in the first quarter.

We’re here to help. Please contact:

• The relevant program administrator, or
• Economic Development Incentives Team: ecdevincentives@hamilton.ca