For new industrial investments or an expansion on existing industrial buildings taking place between May 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028, the city will grant a tax rebate for a period of 10 years post-construction. The municipal property tax rebate is based (approximately 20%) is based on the tax uplift generated by the project. Please contact Economic Development Staff at 519-759-4150 or advantage@brantford.ca to learn more and to apply.
Incentives
A variety of municipal, federal and provincial grants, loans, tax credits, and support programs are available to help businesses grow.
The City has been a big force in both helping us start up the business and also getting started with the people and incentives that are required to get going.
Sergio Cipriani, Blanking Operations Manager, Samuel Metal Blanking
City of Brantford Economic Development Support Services
We can help your company establish its presence in Brantford with a variety of resources and services such as:
- designating City staff to work with and guide your company through the municipal approval process and assist in expediting any municipal approvals required;
- assisting with temporary office space location search, as required, and related professional services, as requested (legal, accounting, banking, real estate);
- assisting with community integration process relating to healthcare, education, housing and lifestyle amenities;
- provide community familiarization tours as requested;
- familiarizing staff with the local services accessible through Newcomer Connections Brantford-Brant;
- assisting Foreign Direct Investments in securing work visas through local MP Office;
- accessing a wide range of entrepreneurial services available through the Business Resource Centre; and,
- exploring additional funding opportunities available through Enterprise Brant - one of 24 provincial Community Futures Development Corporations.
Small Business and Start-ups Supports
The Business Resource Centre (BRC) offers free business advice with expert advisors who have hands-on business experience. The BRC also provides free business workshops so you can learn more about starting and growing your business, and meet other business owners.
Municipal Incentives and Grants
A variety of municipal incentives and grants are designed to help shape the growth and success of our community. The following overview can help you navigate what is available. To learn more about eligibility for these programs and to see if your project or property would qualify, please email advantage@brantford.ca to speak to the Economic Development Officer.
Please note, the details on this page reflect only a summary of the source documentation (original reports and documents/pages reflecting specific program information). Please refer to the source documentation for full and updated information. When in conflict, the information in the source documentation will be considered accurate.
New Industrial Sector Financial Incentives
A new Economic Development Community Improvement Plan includes new industrial sector financial incentives. Online applications will open May 1, 2026. A brief description of the proposed industrial grants are outlined below. Click to review the Economic Development Community Improvement Plan.
Building Permit Reduction Grant
The building permit fee payable to an industrial occupancy building permit will receive a 50% reduction for projects started between May 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028. This applies to major interior renovations of industrial space, as well as new construction projects. Please contact Economic Development Staff at 519-759-4150 or advantage@brantford.ca to learn more and to apply.
Downtown Financial Incentives
The Downtown Community Improvement Plan outlines the financial incentives available for new development and revitalization projects within Downtown Brantford. All projects must be located within the Downtown CIP project area (Appendix A). All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
Property Tax Increment-Based Grant
For projects that construct new residential units within existing or new buildings and results in higher property assessment value, this grant awards funding equal to a percentage of the incremental property tax increase to offset eligible construction costs.
Eligible projects
New buildings or existing buildings that incorporate new residential units that result in an increase in property assessment value.
Grant amount
There are 3 grant streams which provide a different schedule of payment over a 10 year period. The 3 grant streams are:
- Revitalization Grant: for projects that build new residential units at market rate.
- Affordable Housing Tier 1: for projects that include a minimum of 20 percent of affordable housing units that meet Tier 1 criteria outlined in the Downtown CIP.
- Affordable Housing Tier 2: for projects that include a minimum of 20 percent of affordable housing units Tier 2 criteria outlined in the Downtown CIP.
It is noted that affordable housing rental units must meet the definition provided in the CIP and be governed by a Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement with the City of Brantford, to ensure the units continue to be maintained as affordable for a minimum of 20 years.
A one-time grant is available to support small businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations that have experienced an act of vandalism. An approved grant submission must complete both the repair following the vandalism and at least one approved preventative measure, which may be identified by City Corporate Security staff through a complimentary safety audit. The maximum grant is $1,000 to cover 50 per cent of the repair costs and an additional maximum of $3,000 to cover 50 per cent of the prevention costs. Please contact Economic Development Staff at 519-759-4150 or advantage@brantford.ca to learn more.
Brownfield Financial Incentives
The Brownfield Community Improvement Plan outlines the financial incentives available for remediation projects that require the property owner to file a Record of Site Condition under provincial regulations. All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
Tax Incentive Grant Program (TIG)
For projects that require a record of site condition to facilitate residential development, the City offers a tax rebate to cover 100% of the eligible remediation expenses. Contact Economic Development Staff to discuss your application prior to initiating remediation.
Brownfield Development Charges Reduction Program
For projects that require a record of site condition to facilitate residential development, the City will reduce applicable development charges equal to eligible remediation expenses. Maximum grant will be 100% of the DCs payable. This program can be stacked with the brownfields tax increment grant (TIG).
Greyfields Financial Incentives
For commercial, institutional, or light industrial properties that are vacant or underutilized, the Greyfields Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides funding to address three types of improvements. All grants are approved in advance of construction work, but grant monies are confirmed and paid after costs are incurred and validated.
Check out additional information on these programs.
For mixed-use projects on vacant or underutilized properties, the Applicant may be eligible for a 10-year tax rebate of a portion of the incremental tax uplift created by the new development. Projects that include affordable housing units that meet the City’s definition will receive a greater value grant. Please speak to Economic Development during site plan application stage to confirm eligibility.
Commerical Façade, Landscaping and Connectivity Improvement Grant
For projects located on Greyfield sites (target areas in the Greyfields CIP), a one-time grant for $15,000 may be awarded to eligible projects that address improvements to a commercial façade, landscaping, and pedestrian connectivity and accessibility. Example projects include the installation of lighting, planters, accessibility ramps, new entryways, street patios, and upgrade exterior cladding. Please speak to Economic Development Staff to confirm eligibility.
Mixed Use Building Improvement Grant
For projects located on Greyfield sites (target areas in the Greyfields CIP), one-time grant of $10,000 per residential unit (and to a max. $30,000 total) may be awarded to convert or add new residential units to the upper storeys of an existing building. Please speak to Economic Development staff at the time of site plan application stage to confirm eligibility.
Small businesses, non-profit organizations, and places of worship that are victims of vandalism may be eligible to up to $1000 to offset 50% of repair expenses ,and additionally up to $3,000 to offset 50% of prevention projects. City Staff will complete a safety audit to help identify eligible prevention projects. Apply Now https://cityofbrantford.grantplatform.com/
Additional financial incentives
Lead Financial Incentive Program
Offers a grant and an interest-bearing loan towards the replacement of private lead water service pipes.
Private Sanitary Sewer Lateral Replacement Grant
Grant to assist with the cost of replacing old sanitary sewer laterals on private property to help stop or reduce sewer blockages.
Federal and Provincial Incentives and Initiatives
Explore federal and provincial incentives and initiatives with the Concierge Service. This tool is a Government of Canada program that offers free, customized advice to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), connecting them to funding and support programs that will help them grow their business through innovation. Innovation Advisors with extensive technical and entrepreneurial backgrounds are located in communities across the country. Their own business experiences working with innovation support programs are an invaluable resource for Canada's SMEs.