2023 program no longer accepting applications
The Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program is now complete. Subscribe to this page to receive any future updates for the Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program.
We are working to review all submissions received by the April 30, 2023, application deadline. Applicants will be contacted. Please note that all funding is provided on a first-come first-served basis for complete applications.
This program helps business and property owners make upgrades to eligible commercial, institutional, mixed-use and apartment buildings and properties.
The program has been developed to support Council’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) and (2022-25).
Click here to View the program area map.
Click here to view the program brochure
Grants
Please contact PULSE if you have questions about the application process.
| 1) Improve building exteriors or façades (up to $75,000 per building). |
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The Façade Improvement Grant provides a financial incentive to make improvements to the exteriors or ‘façades’ of eligible buildings. Improvements may include new cladding or architectural features, reconfigured entrances, new window and doors, lighting, signage, weather protection and upgrades to improve accessibility. Improvements are focused on façades that face towards the street; however, other façades may be eligible. A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
| 2) Upgrade or rehabilitate the interiors of existing commercial buildings (up to $50,000). |
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The Interior Improvements Grant provides a financial incentive to upgrade the interiors of existing eligible buildings. Renovations will help improve the downtown’s aging building stock, attract new businesses to vacant spaces and retain existing tenants. A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
| 3) Install beautification projects (up to $1,500). |
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The Beautification Projects Grant supports business and property owners in making visual enhancements to increase downtown vibrancy. The grant encourages the following projects:
A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
| 4) Murals by local artists (up to $30,000). |
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The Murals Grant encourages business and property owners to engage a locally involved artist and create beautiful artwork on a property structure or building. A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
| 5) Construct new patios or upgrade existing patios (up to $15,000). |
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The Patio Grant provides funding to assist downtown businesses with the development of a new or improved patio. Patios must be an outdoor extension of a food establishment, such as a restaurant or café, and be open to the public. Patios can help create attractive, lively and pedestrian-friendly downtown streets. The Patio Grant encourages businesses to utilize underused, privately-owned space or municipal land, where feasible and safe. A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
| 6) Improve building premises (up to $40,000, depending on the premises area) |
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The Premises Improvement Grant supports business owners and property owners in making improvements to their properties or premises areas. The premise is the area of the property excluding building footprints. The Grant encourages the following projects:
A pre-application meeting is strongly encouraged. |
What are incentives and how do they work?
Incentives encourage investment that might not otherwise happen and can be used to promote specific types of development and improvements in an area. In Fort McMurray's downtown, incentives are being offered in the form of a reimbursement grants, with the aim of:
- Retaining existing businesses and helping attract new types of business that will increase pedestrian presence on the streets.
- Introducing new features and amenities that create interest and vibrancy, helping transform the downtown core into a place people want to spend time.
- Improving the aesthetic qualities within the downtown.
- Leveraging public funding to catalyze private investment in the downtown.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can I still apply for a grant? |
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No, the Program closed on April 30, 2023 and is not accepting any new applications. |
| What is the additional funding for? |
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The additional funding of $2.6 million was requested because the original budget of $3 million(for the 2022/2023 Program) was not enough to fund the large number of applications received by April 30, 2023. |
| What is the future of the DRIP Program? |
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DRIP staff will be reviewing and evaluating the DRIP Program, to see if it has achieved its objectives. A report will be presented to Council late 2023/early 2024 and Council will then decide on the future of the Program. |
| Any other inquiries about DRIP? |
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Please contact Pulse Line: 780-743-7000 or Toll Free: 1-800-973-9663 |
Archived DRIP Reports