​BRAMPTON, ON (April 9, 2021) – At its meeting this week, Brampton City Council approved a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to stimulate employment growth, support new building expansion in targeted sectors, and strengthen Brampton’s local economy.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the City has remained committed to supporting recovery and resiliency of the business community.

Last year, Brampton City Council endorsed an Economic Recovery Strategy as a framework to move the City forward. The strategy is organized into four cornerstones: Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, which includes better support for entrepreneurs and small businesses; Investment; Arts, Culture and Tourism; and Infrastructure. 

The City continues to attract investment and planning applications received by Brampton in Q1 of 2021 are nearly double the intake compared to the first three months of 2020 and 2019.

To build on that momentum, the establishment of a CIP is another step towards restarting the local economy and furthering Brampton’s competitive advantage. The Province of Ontario’s Planning Act allows local municipalities to designate an area as a Community Improvement Project Area offering financial and non-financial incentives to the private sector to create employment opportunities and amenities needed for a growing City.

Among the potential tools to be offered under the CIP, the initial incentive will be a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) aimed at attracting office employment including complementary uses such as research and lab space. The TIEG is a grant, or rebate, to offset a portion of the property tax increase the business owner will face.

Additionally, by implementing a city-wide TIEG for office employment, the City of Brampton will be able to access the Region’s TIEG being offered through its Major Office Program, expected to launch in 2021. Increasing investment in projects for quality office space also fosters an environment of “complete communities” where residents can live, work, and learn.

City staff have been directed to prepare and finalize the CIP during Q2 and Q3 of 2021. The City will hold a statutory public meeting later this year and the final CIP will be sent to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for review and comment. The CIP is expected to launch by the end of Q4.

The CIP will be offered for a set period of time and regularly reviewed to ensure the goals and objectives of the City of Brampton’s employment needs are being met. The CIP also aligns with the Term of Council Priorities as a “City of Opportunities”.

The CIP aims to attract additional employment in its key sectors: innovation and technology; entrepreneurship; health and life sciences; and advanced manufacturing. Current market conditions in Brampton support the continued investment in new construction in each of these areas.

Quotes

“A Community Improvement Plan offers a range of ways to enhance the City of Brampton’s ability to encourage private investment contributing to our local economic recovery. Brampton is a City of Opportunities and establishing a CIP is another important piece to realize our goals as we move through the pandemic into economic recovery.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“Under our Economic Recovery Strategy, Council identified the CIP as one of the key items of investment to support local businesses. They are the backbone of our economy. As Brampton businesses succeed, we all win”.
- Martin Medeiros, Wards 3 & 4; Regional Councillor and Chair, Planning and Development Committee, Chair Economic Development Committee, City of Brampton

“This Community Improvement Plan will help strengthen neighbourhoods as well as stimulate private sector investment and revitalize the community through our own activities and key partnerships.”
- Pat Fortini, Wards 7 & 8, Regional Councillor and Vice-Chair, Planning and Development Committee, City of Brampton

“The City’s 2040 Vision recognizes a need to increase the City’s labour force who live and work in the community. The Community Improvement Plan will help Brampton transition to a greater proportion of higher density employment by attracting more office investment in our community.”
- Paul Vicente, Wards 1 & 5, Regional Councillor and Vice-Chair, Chair Economic Development Committee, City of Brampton

“When complete, the Community Improvement Plan will include a ‘toolbox’ of potential non-financial and financial programs, to stimulate enduring benefits for the City of Brampton including job creation, tax revenue and an overall improvement to quality of life for residents.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

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