The Municipality of Clarington has announced that it has undertaken a review and update of its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) focused on commercial downtown and main street improvements within four designated areas.
These are Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono and Courtice.
A municipal statement said in 2025, council endorsed the 2025-26 Economic Development Action Plan, which included initiating the review of the CIP as a priority action.
Sierra Planning & Management, in association with MHBC, has been retained by the municipality to review and update existing CIPs, ensuring the program aligns with current legislation, the municipality’s strategic priorities, and the community’s evolving needs.
What is a Community Improvement Plan?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool available to municipalities under Section 28 of the Planning Act. CIPs help facilitate revitalization and redevelopment efforts in defined area(s). To carry out CIPs, municipalities can establish grants, loans, and other programs to encourage private sector investment in development and renovation projects which seek to improve areas in accordance with local goals and priorities.
Private property owners and businesses in designated CIP areas can take advantage of financial incentive programs contained in CIPs to achieve a range of community improvement goals such as improving property façades and redeveloping property.
The CIP update will:
- Identify current issues facing Clarington’s business and development community;
- Explore opportunities to consolidate the four existing CIPs into a unified framework;
- Examine the potential expansion of the CIP Area to include the entire Municipality of Clarington;
- Review and adjust existing incentive programs while identifying new ones to support community priorities and emerging sectors; and
- Tailor incentive programs to specific areas such as commercial downtowns, employment areas, rural properties, and purpose-built rental and affordable housing developments.
Design Guidelines
The CIP review and update will also incorporate guidelines to establish clear design direction, support relevant incentive programs, and guide the municipality in evaluating private projects eligible for CIP incentives.
The guidelines will ensure that physical improvements to buildings and/or new signage will align with and contribute positively to the character of Clarington’s communities.
A review and update of the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) will be taking place on Monday, June 15 at 6:30 pm and Clarington Council are asking for the public’s feedback. The meeting can be attended online or in person in Council Chambers, Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville.