Revitalizing Whitby's two historic downtowns is a key priority for us. We work closely with businesses, residents and community partners to ensure our downtowns remain vibrant, while preserving and advancing their unique heritage and cultural resources sustainably.

Incentive programs and grants

We offer a variety of incentive programs and grants for downtown businesses to help transform the downtown areas into dynamic social and cultural spaces. Our programs also help you boost your business' space and appearance. We use the programs to allow partners to invest in the rehabilitation of commercial and office buildings in Whitby's two historic cores.

Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

Our Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan (CIP) seeks to revitalize our downtown area by providing a suite of programs and grants that downtown businesses and property owners can take advantage of to develop, improve and maintain their business. For additional information on the programs, please review the Information Checklist. 

To apply for one of our grants, please complete the appropriate applications:

• Development Grants Application
• Maintenance and Improvement Grants Application

Contact us for any questions related to the Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and/or the grant applications.

Then follow our four-step application process:

1. Book a pre-application consultation to meet with our staff to review preliminary plans
2. Submit completed application forms and required supporting materials, such as detailed work plans, cost estimates and applicable reports. Upon review and if approved, we will provide a letter and/or agreement to begin work on the project.
3. Get all applicable permits and undertake work.
4. Submit final paid invoices and supporting documents to the Town. Once all program requirements are met, we will issue the approved grant payment in accordance with program eligibility requirements.

Downtown Brooklin Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

Our Downtown Brooklin Community Improvement Plan (CIP) seeks to revitalize the downtown area by providing two incentive programs for business and property owners for exterior maintenance and improvements. For additional information on the programs, please review the Information Checklist. 

To apply for a grant, complete the Downtown Brooklin Façade Grant Application and follow our four-step application process:

1. Book a pre-application consultation to meet with our staff to review preliminary plans
2. Submit completed application forms and required supporting materials, such as detailed work plans, cost estimates and applicable reports. Upon review and if approved, we will provide a letter and/or agreement to begin work on the project.
3. Get all applicable permits and undertake work.
4. Submit final paid invoices and supporting documents to the Town. Once all program requirements are met, we will issue the approved grant payment in accordance with program eligibility requirements.

Contact us for any questions related to the Downtown Brooklin Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and/or the Downtown Brooklin Façade Grant Application.

Street-side patios

We partner with the Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) to create a public street-side patio in downtown Whitby. You can apply to set up your own business patio in downtown areas, weather permitting. Send us an email or give us a call at 905.444.3164 for more information.

Downtown Whitby Action Plan

Through our commitment to revitalization, we have developed and follow the Downtown Whitby Action Plan. The plan was developed with stakeholder and resident input to create a vibrant, viable, innovative and walkable vision for Downtown Whitby. It provides objectives and action items to support downtown initiatives, and strengthens, promotes, incentivizes and engages stakeholders in downtown renewal.

You can also review the most recent September 2020 Update.

Contact us for a copy of the Downtown Whitby Action Plan and its latest update.