An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake

Strategic Core Areas CIP, Downtown & Core Area Improvement Grants

by City of Thunder Bay

Also known as: Downtown CIP · Downtown Financial Assistance Programs

Thunder Bay's Strategic Core Areas CIP pays 50% of eligible costs, to $10,000 per grant, for commercial facade improvements, main-floor commercial conversions, and upper-floor residential/office conversions in the North Core, South Core, and Westfort, combinable to $25,000 per property, plus a planning/building fee rebate. Apply to Planning Services (planning@thunderbay.ca) and get approval before starting any work.

Amount
Up to $25,000 Three 50% grants each capped at $10,000 (Commercial Facade Improvement; Commercial Conversion – Main Floor; Residential/Office Conversion – Upper Floors), combinable to a maximum of $25,000 per property; plus a Planning and Building Fee Grant rebating planning application and building permit fees This award range, $25,000, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

thunderbay.ca · Last verified Sep 28, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

These grants can be combined for a total maximum of $25,000 per property.

Instrument
Grant (non-repayable)
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share
Grants cover 50% of eligible costs; applicant funds the remainder. Funding is based on the lowest of two required cost estimates.

thunderbay.ca · Last verified Sep 28, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Who qualifies
Property owners and developers Businesses
  • property-owner
  • business
  • tenant
  • Property must be within a Strategic Core Areas project zone: North Core, South Core, or Westfort Business Area (check the city's Community Improvement Plans Map)
  • Application must be approved before work begins

thunderbay.ca · Last verified Sep 28, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Where
Thunder Bay DistrictThis program is limited to one district.1 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: not eligibleCochrane District: not eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): not eligibleKenora District: not eligibleManitoulin District: not eligibleNipissing District: not eligibleParry Sound District: not eligibleRainy River District: not eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): not eligibleThunder Bay District: eligibleTimiskaming District: not eligible

1 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Small business, expansion

How do you apply?

Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.

  1. Confirm property is in an eligible core-area zone
  2. Submit application form to Planning Services with photos of existing conditions, conceptual drawings, and two cost estimates
  3. Approval before starting work
  4. Complete work and receive grant

thunderbay.ca · Last verified Sep 28, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

Which areas of Thunder Bay qualify?

Properties inside the Strategic Core Areas project zones: the North Core, South Core, and Westfort Business Area. The city's Community Improvement Plans Map lets you check a specific address.

Can I combine the facade and conversion grants?

Yes, the facade grant and the two conversion grants (each 50% of costs to $10,000) can be combined up to a total of $25,000 per property, and planning/building permit fees can also be rebated.

Can I start renovations before applying?

No. Applications require approval before work begins, and you must submit photos of existing conditions, conceptual drawings, and two cost estimates with the application.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Notes on this record

Contact: planning@thunderbay.ca. The full plan is the Amended Strategic Core Areas CIP 2021 (PDF on thunderbay.ca). No stated intake deadline on the official page, treated as continuous intake.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

www.thunderbay.ca