Community Improvement Plan & Facade Program
Introduction
Incorporated in 1856, the Township of Howick is a community where a rich rural heritage meets vibrant village life. Its population is spread across a thriving agricultural landscape and the charming villages of Fordwich, Gorrie, Wroxeter, Lakelet, and Belmore. Known for its strong agriculture-based economy, Howick takes pride in supporting its farmers while fostering sustainable growth and development throughout the Township.
This Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides a strategic framework to encourage the maintenance, rehabilitation, and enhancement of buildings and properties across Howick, helping to strengthen both its rural and village communities.
Beautifying Howick: A Community Improvement Initiative
The Community Improvement Committee has proudly expanded its mandate to include beautification, recognizing that an inviting, vibrant community inspires further improvement and growth. By enhancing the visual appeal of the Township, the Committee aims to create spaces that residents and visitors alike can enjoy and take pride in.
Thanks to funding from the Rural Ontario Development Grant—and with additional support from Township Council—several exciting beautification projects are now underway. These initiatives will add color, charm, and character to our villages, reinforcing Howick’s unique small-town appeal.
Phase 1 Highlights:
- Raised flower beds to be installed around two signs in each village—Fordwich, Wroxeter, and Gorrie.
- Flower baskets adorning the bridges in all three villages, adding bursts of color for residents and visitors to enjoy.
- Multiple street planters throughout the villages, creating welcoming and picturesque streetscapes.
These projects are just the beginning, with the Committee committed to fostering a more beautiful, vibrant, and thriving Township of Howick.
The Township of Howick Municipal Façade Grant Program assists commercial buisnesses and or properties of the Township of Howick by providing grants to improve the facades of buildings. The purpose of the Program is to enhance the appearance of commercial businesses and maintain a sense of pride within the community. Township of Howick Council is committed to treating all requests within the Program in a consistent, fair, and equitable manner subject to Council’s priorities and approved budget. As such, the Township will annually commit funds to the Program within the approved annual budget.
- This policy establishes the following:
- Eligibility Requirements
- General Provisions
- Administration
- Application and Program Process
- Approval Process and Consideration
- Notification Process
- Applicant Reporting
2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications are being accepted for the 2026 Facade Program until October 1, 2026.
All completed applications can be dropped off at the Howick Township Municipal Office 44816 Harriston Road, Gorrie or emailed directly to the Manager of Recreation Brady Ropp at recreation@howick.ca
General Provisions
The Township of Howick Municipal Facade Grant Program provides grants to property owners and tenants of commercial properties who improve and/or enhance the cosmetic appeal of their property from a streetscape viewpoint. The grant amount is 50% of the cost to improve the appearance of the facade up to a maximum of $2500.00.
The eligible improvements should consider the character of the building or property and promote cohesiveness in core business areas. The list of eligible improvements in this Program include:
• Facade restoration of brickwork, wood, masonry, and metal cladding;
• Replacement or repair of entablature, eaves, parapets, and other architectural details;
• Window and door repair or replacement;
• Signage in accordance with the Township of Howick’s by-law(s) respecting signs and the Ontario Building Code and Regulations;
• Painting or cleaning of the façade exterior;
• Exterior lighting;
• Repair, replacement or addition of awnings, marquees or canopies;
• Replacement of façade elements originally in place during initial construction of the building;
• Entranceway/walkway modifications such as sidewalks, steps, and landscaping associated with the entranceway and walkway (not entire property), including provisions to improve accessibility for those with mobility limitations;
• Redesigned shop fronts;
• Professional fees;
• Other improvements/additions to the building exterior as may be approved by the municipal Chief Building Official or their designate
The Recreation Department reserves the right to determine the eligibility of projects.
The Recreation department, or their designate, in consultation with Council are responsible for the administration of the Township of Howick Municipal Facade Grant Program. The Council of the Township of Howick, in its sole discretion, may change or discontinue this Program at any time.
The funding for the Program should be determined by Council in the beginning of the annual budget process via pre-approval.
Interested property owners or tenants who are eligible for the Township of Howick Municipal Facade Grant Program are encouraged to apply when the portal on the municipal website opens each January. Applications are accepted until the end of March each year and to be considered by Council no later than the first Regular Meeting of May.
Applications must include:
• Information about the property and or permission from land owner
• Declaration of outstanding work orders or tax arrears
• Description of the project/improvements including pictures.
• Quotes or cost estimates from independent contractors/suppliers
• A financial breakdown of the project/work to be completed
• Description of the project benefit from such facade improvements
Applications should be submitted online via the portal on the municipal website, however, paper copies or alternative methods are available upon request to the Recreation department. Applications must be received by the deadline as advertised and be a fully completed application in order to be considered for funding. There may only be one application per property per year.
Prior to the submission of an application, applicants may request a pre-consultation meeting with the Recreation department to review the requirements of the program.
Notice of the application period will be advertised on the following, but not limited to, and at the discretion of the Recreation department:
• Municipal website
• Social media accounts
• Local newspaper(s)
The advertisement will include the deadline for applications.
During annual budget discussions, Township of Howick Council allots an amount to the Township of Howick Municipal Facade Grant Program. If the amount budgeted is not entirely used within the year it was budgeted it does not carry over into the following year.
All applications will be assessed on funding availability and proportionate to the amount requested. This assessment will be completed by the Recreation department or their designate; the recreation department will seek confirmation from the Building, Fire, and Finance department that there are no outstanding work orders or tax arrears on the subject property.
The Recreation department will present to Council in a formal report for approval which shall include the budgeted amount for the Program, the number of applications submitted, a description of all eligible applications, and the amount requested by each application.
Council will be provided with three options of allocation for consideration:
• Allocating full amounts requested
• Prioritizing first-time and less often applicants within the budgeted amount
• Proportionate allocation of the request within the budgeted amount
The decision of Council regarding distribution of the Program funds will be confirmed by a resolution of support.
All applicants will be notified in writing by the Recreation department whether their application was successful or not within one (1) week of Council’s resolution. Successful applicants will be notified in writing via mail with the approved grant amount.
Successful applicants and the grant amount as part of the Program shall be publicized on the municipal website.
All successful applicants are required to submit a copy of their paid invoices upon completion of the facade project before December 31st each year. Upon receipt of the paid invoices, the Recreation department will have a cheque issued for the approved amount. If the approved amount is more than 50% of the submitted paid invoices then a cheque for 50% of the paid invoices will be issued.
Failure to submit paid invoices or request an extension by December 31st results in the forfeit of the grant.
Copies of paid invoices can be submitted via email or mail.
If the project will not be completed within the year the grant was approved then a request for an extension must be given in writing to the Recreation department before December 31st. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Recreation department for a maximum of six (6) months. Failure to request an extension results in the forfeit of the grant.
If the applicant no longer wishes to complete the project that the grant was approved for they must advise the Recreation department in writing as soon as possible.