Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program

 Facade improvement grant

Improve building exteriors (façades)-options ranging from $5,000 per storefront to $65,000 per building.

The façade improvement grant supports exterior renovations to building façades. This grant is available to commercial, institutional, mixed-use, and apartment buildings. Projects may range from small-scale improvements to individual storefronts to more comprehensive renovations that transform the entire building. 

A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged.

Program Guidelines

Application Form

Upgrade building interiors- options ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 per unit.

The interior improvement grant supports renovations to building interiors. This grant is available to commercial, institutional, and mixed-use (street-level commercial portions) buildings. Depending on the occupancy status of the unit, different funding options are available for vacant and occupied units.

A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged.

Program Guidelines

Application Form

 Murals grant

Murals by local artists- up to $30,000 per building.

The murals grant supports new murals on eligible commercial, institutional, mixed-use, and apartment buildings. Murals must be completed by a locally involved artist. This grant is reimbursed at a rate of 75%. Support is available to connect applicants with the arts community.

A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged.

Program Guidelines

Application Form

Improve the land surrounding the building-up to $40,000, depending on the premises size.

The premises improvement grant encourages property owners to enhance the areas that surrounds their buildings (i.e., the "premises” areas). This grant supports improvements to landscaping, accessibility, crime prevention, and more.

A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged.

Program Guidelines

Application Form

Accessibility improvements

The Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program supports the revitalization and transformation of the downtown into a safe and welcoming place where people want to spend time.

Making your business or property accessible means that everyone can use and access it, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities, or gender.

Improving accessibility is good for business. It helps to:

• Increase your customer base, since 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older have one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities. (StatsCan, 2022)
• It helps benefit everyone! For example, parents with young children in strollers, seniors, and people with a temporary disability or injury.

Improving the accessibility of private properties is a priority for the program.

Grant Funding

Accessibility improvements can be included in many projects and are an eligible cost under the Façade, Interior and Premises Improvement Grants. For eligible costs and ideas, visit rmwb.ca/incentives.

Eligible Improvements

Examples include but are not limited to:

• New barrier-free or universal access washrooms
• Wider entrance doors with barrier free threshold
• Power-assisted doors in entrance and common spaces
• Employ acoustic treatments to minimize background noise, echoes, and reverberation that can interfere with effective communication and the performance of assistive listening systems
• Adding or substantially renovating an exterior ramp at the building entrance 

Planning Your Project

Prior to applying, consider completing the RMWB Accessibility Checklist for your business or property. The checklist provides helpful ideas for improving accessibility: 

Larger developments may also benefit from an accessibility audit by a qualified accessibility specialist. The cost for professional fees and services is an eligible expense.

More Resources

There are several resources to assist you in your project planning:

• Alberta Building Code (2023). Barrier-Free-Design-Guide_web-Aug2019.indd (alberta.ca)

• CSA/ASC B651-23 Accessible Design for the Built Environment (2023). 

• Engineering Servicing Standards and Development Standards (2021).

• RMWB Accessibility Checklist. (2024) Accessibility Checklist - Building Audit (rmwb.ca)

The Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program supports the revitalization and transformation of the downtown into a safe and welcoming place where people want to spend time.

Supporting crime prevention measures and improving safety is a priority for the program. Businesses benefit from introducing crime prevention improvements and maintaining clean and well-kept buildings and premises; staff and customers feel safer, and insurance costs may be less.

Grant Funding

Safety improvements can be included in many projects and are eligible under the Façade, Interior, and Premises Improvement Grants. For eligible costs and ideas, visit rmwb.ca/incentives

Eligible Improvements

Crime prevention improvements include and are not limited to:

• Security cameras and alarms systems (equipment purchase only).
• Electronic sensors for people entering or leaving the building.
• New lighting for entrances and doors, to illuminate the storefront and sidewalk.
• New reinforced doors and door hardware that enhance security without impeding accessibility.
• Clear shatter-proof security film.
• Security partitions at cash desks.

Planning Your Project

For information on what you can do to protect your business or property:

• Visit the municipal webpage to learn about crime prevention strategies.

• Review the RMWB Business Crime Prevention Kit for tips and a checklist to help your business carry out a self-assessment of its safety and security.

• Register new security cameras on CAPTURE (Community Assisted Policing Through Use of Recorded Evidence).

• Email incentives@rmwb.ca to request a free visit from the RCMP to receive advice on your business or property.

A Note About Window Coverings:

The program encourages businesses to keep street-level windows uncovered and unobstructed to prevent robbery, allowing visibility to streets (inside and out).  Window treatments that enclose or obscure street-level windows are ineligible. These include tinted, frosted, and mirrored windows, vinyl wraps, security bars, and rolling shutters.

The program does not endorse individual contractors. However, applicants can find contractors through online business directories such as:

• Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce 
• Fort McMurray Construction Association
• Northern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA)

The program requires detailed estimates as part of the application process. Be sure that your estimate includes: 

• A company letterhead;
• the contractor’s contact information and GST number;
• a complete description of the project and a breakdown of the work, including the types of materials and quantities, and labour;
• all associated costs, such as permits, demolition, and management fees.
• an itemized list of individual costs; and total project cost.

Find more information and tips for hiring contractors, visit: alberta.ca/hiring-contractor 

 The program review process has recently changed. Applicants will now submit pricing for their projects after a preliminary application has been received and conditionally approved. Once notified, applicants will have 90 days to submit pricing for their projects. Applications require two estimates from separate contractors. Contractors must be independent and arms-length (i.e., not associated with one another).

The following tips will help you plan your project and ensure your estimates are inclusive of all costs:

• Allocate time to obtain estimates. Ask for and check references.
• Provide a clear written scope that is as detailed as you can make it.
• For larger projects, provide drawings to help the contractor to cost the project.
• Ask specific questions about what is/isn’t included in the job estimate. (For example, waste removal and landfill fees may or may not be included.)  
• Estimates must be detailed (lump sum estimates will not be accepted).
• Estimates must be comparable (i.e., list the same work items). If estimates do not seem comparable, obtain a third estimate.
• Ensure contractors hold a valid municipal business license, are insured, and that any sub-contractors are also licensed.
• Don’t forget to include estimates for professional fees, such as design and engineering.
• Detailed estimates are essential. The program reserves the right to request revisions, additional estimates, or to refuse unreasonable pricing.

No. The program does not provide retroactive funding. Applicants must apply, receive approval, and sign the grant agreement before work may begin. 

Completed applications can be submitted by email to incentives@rmwb.ca or dropped-off in-person at 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB, T9H 2K4. Please ensure your application contains all documents listed on the application form checklist. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Please contact Pulse Line: 780-743-7000 or Toll Free: 1-800-973-9663