Windsor Retail Reinvestment Grant
The city pays back 50% of interior renovation costs for downtown Windsor retail spaces, up to $15,000. This is a cost-share grant: you pay for the work first and get reimbursed after it is done. Applications are open.
Before you spend any money
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything. If you start early, you can lose this funding.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You run a retail business in the Windsor downtown CIP area
- You are planning an interior renovation or fit-out
- You can secure approval before you start any work or buy materials
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside the Windsor downtown CIP area
- You have already started or finished the renovation work
- You cannot wait to pay upfront and get reimbursed later
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh (new facade, paint and exterior lighting):
Project cost
$30,000
Program pays
$15,000
You pay
$15,000
That's the program's maximum. A bigger project works, and the amount above the cap is yours to fund.
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
For example, if the renovation costs $30,000, the grant can cover up to $15,000.
What may be supported
- interior renovation of retail space
- tenant & building improvements
How applying works
Effort: mediumYou fill in a city application with quotes and photos. You need approval before you start, and you claim your costs after the work is done.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then the city reimburses its share (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything. Work that starts early can disqualify your project.
- Only retail spaces in the Downtown Windsor Community Improvement Plan (CIP) area qualify. Check that your address is inside the area before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
This grant is for the inside of downtown retail spaces. Ask the city early whether money is left this year, and do not start the renovation until you have written approval.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
What you can combine it with
You may be able to combine this with provincial or federal programs for the same project. Ask the city what can be combined.
Related programs
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
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Windsor Main Streets Facade Improvement Program
Up to $30,000
The City of Windsor matches 50% of your exterior improvement costs, helping you modernize your storefront on traditional Main Streets outside…
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Windsor Downtown Facade Improvement Program
Up to $20,000
This City of Windsor program helps you modernize your downtown exterior by reimbursing half the cost of approved facade and signage improvements, up…
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.