Industrial Development Charges Grant Program

The Industrial Development Charges Grant Program (IDCG) is designed to support businesses and developers by offsetting the costs associated with industrial development charges. This initiative aims to encourage investment, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the competitiveness of our town.

Please note that on March 4th, 2024, the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie passed By-law 20-2024, 21-2024 and 22-2024 under Section 2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, which imposes Town-wide development charge rates. 

Program Overview

This program offers financial incentives for industrial developments investing in Fort Erie by providing grants to those who are planning to construct a new or expand existing facilities.

You can apply for the grant before receiving a building permit or within 90 days after receiving a building permit, and may receive a grant for up to 100 per cent of the Town's development charges payable.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an IDCG, a project must:

a) Be a new or expanded above and beyond the statutory exemption for expansions development in the Town of Fort Erie

b) Meet the definition of Industrial Use in the DC By-law

“Industrial” means land, buildings or structures used for or in connection with manufacturing by:

• manufacturing, producing, and processing goods for a commercial purpose, as well as storing and/or distribution of goods manufactured, produced or processed on site;
• research or development in connection with manufacturing, producing or processing good for a commercial purpose;
• retail sales by a manufacturer, producer or processor of goods they manufactured, produced or processed, if the retail sales are at the site where the manufacturing, production or processing takes place;
• office or administrative purposes, if it is: carried out with respect to manufacturing, producing, processing, storage or distributing of something; and in or attached to the building or structure used for that manufacturing, producing, processing, storage or distribution.

Application

To apply, applicants must:

a) Be the owner of the proposed development

b) Submit a complete application electronically to the Town of Fort Erie a minimum of 3 months prior to but no later than 3 months following issuance of a building permit

c) Not have any property tax arrears or any other arrears or charges by the local municipality, Region or the Province

 To read more about the program parameters, please click here. 

To apply for the Industrial Development Charges Grant, please click here. 

Additional Resources: 

Town of Fort Erie Development Charges

Fort Erie Programs and Funding

Niagara Region Industrial Development Charge Program

Niagara Economic Development Incentives and Programs