What's New
Toronto's Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program
We are excited to share that the MarkeTO District Business Improvement Area (BIA) recently hosted its inaugural community car show. This event was designed to celebrate the exceptional craftsmanship of both antique and modern vehicles while fostering connections within our vibrant community.
By showcasing these stunning cars, we aimed to support our local businesses and introduce them to a broader audience, creating opportunities for new customer engagement.
As we reflect on the success of this first event, we look forward to hosting many more car shows in the future, with the goal of making it a beloved tradition in our community. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
The Winners
While there were numerous beautiful classics! Here are our 3 winners! Congratulations to:
Marco Accardo: Best Car
George Pichelli: Best Interior
Mario Garofalo: Best Colour
Thank you
A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated in the inaugural car show hosted by the MarkeTO District Business Improvement Area. Your presence made the event truly memorable for our community and local businesses alike.
We appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did. We look forward to welcoming you again next year!
Your feedback is invaluable to us. Please feel free to reach out via text or email with any thoughts or suggestions. We would also be delighted to hear any testimonials you wish to share.
A special thank you to the following car groups and businesses for their generous support:
- Universal Cruiser (with special thanks to Louie Micoli)
- Turbo Buick Owners of Southern Ontario
- Toronto’s Hot Rod Culture
- Pro Street Club
- Gambler Car Club
- Car By Car Auto (Mario & Tony Garofalo)
- Mister Transmission (Dann Biafore)
- Azores Auto Group (Hugo)
- Rick’s Nostalgia (Rick Guglietti)
- And all the remarkable vehicle owners who joined us!
Thank you once again for being part of this special day. We look forward to continuing to grow this event together!
Happy August
Small retail businesses are essential to the vitality and success of Toronto’s main streets and neighbourhoods. The Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program was developed in support of the recovery and long-term success of local small businesses. The program offers matching funding of 50 per cent to commercial business operators and owners of vacant storefronts (or, in certain limited circumstances, at risk of becoming vacant) to undertake interior improvements. Applications are now open and will be accepted until February 28, 2022, or when funds are expended, whichever comes first, and are considered on a first received, first reviewed basis.
Funding Available
The program offers matching funding equal to 50 per cent of the cost of interior improvements to vacant commercial properties at street level.
- The maximum base grant under the program is $20,000 (based on a minimum of $40,000 of improvements).
- Further funding of up to $4,000, for a total maximum grant of $24,000, is available for upgrades to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards.
- Additional funding of up to $20,000 ($4,000 per additional unit, for up to five units) is available for multi-unit properties.
Eligibility
The Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program is available to owners and tenants of vacant properties or the risk of being vacant properties at street level, or properties at risk of becoming vacant (that have received funding from the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program) within the city of Toronto, that are used for commercial purposes at street level, and that are locally owned and operated. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made.
Tenants who apply for the program must have written permission from the property owner to make any improvements to the property and receive grants.
Eligible Projects
The following projects would be considered eligible for a Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant:
- Structural upgrades, interior light fixtures, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing, electrical, interior painting, flooring/ceiling/walls, permanently affixed counters, merchandise displays and accessibility improvements, among others.
- Architectural, engineering, certified Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) specialist and Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) registered designer fees may be covered to a maximum of $2,000 per application as part of the base grant.
- Multi-unit properties are eligible for additional grant funding of up to $4,000 per unit for each additional unit for which improvements are proposed, to a maximum of $20,000.
- Additional grant funding of up to $4,000 is available for interior accessibility improvements which meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) design standards.
- A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made to each unit.
Ineligible Projects
The following projects would not be eligible for a Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant:
- Maintenance to fix broken windows, interior lighting or security systems, clean clogged plumbing, or replace ceiling panels.
- Only one application for a business chain or for any franchise organization is permitted.
- Applications for work totaling less than $5,000 are ineligible.
- The program is not to cover maintenance costs of existing interior property elements.
- Places of worship, institutional buildings, not-for-profit commercial buildings and residential buildings are ineligible for the program.
- Moveable furniture, window coverings, equipment, appliances, computers, IT expenses or elements such as tiling outside of the front door, are ineligible.
Digital Transformation Grant has been extended to November 30th
The program provides a one-time grant of $2,500 to small brick-and-mortar businesses and a comprehensive plan to guide their digital transformation.
Digital Main Street (DMS) is a program focused on assisting small businesses with their adoption of technologies. The Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) program will provide funding for training, advisory support, and grants to brick-and-mortar small businesses looking increase their capacity through digital transformation.
The grant is administered by the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA), and is not administered by Digital Main Street.
Applications will continue to be accepted until November 30, 2021 (or until grant funds are exhausted).
The objective of the Digital Transformation Grant is to provide small business owners with a comprehensive plan to guide their digital transformation and provide small businesses with the digital literacy skills they need to execute their digital transformation either through a do-it-yourself approach and/or being a smart consumer when purchasing these services.
If you are a small brick-and-mortar business looking to increase your capacity through digital transformation, we encourage you to apply.