🏠 | Grant | Commercial Vacancy Assistance (CVA) Program

Commercial Vacancy Assistance (CVA) Program

Maurice
By Maurice | May 1, 2025

Amount:

$10,000

Type:

Grant

Description:

The Commercial Vacancy Assistance (CVA) Program will provide financial assistance in the
form of a Grant to new permanent or ‘pop­up’ commercial tenants of a presently vacant at, or
below grade, commercial space so as to make permanent interior improvements for the
purposes of improving the attractiveness and usability of the space for the intended
commercial use. To be eligible, the intended commercial use must be accessible to the public/
customers and may include, but not be limited to, retail uses, artists studios/galleries
containing a retail component, personal service businesses, microbreweries, commercial
entertainment uses, commercial recreation uses and/or dine-in or take-out restaurants

Comments on Funding:

Amount: The maximum Grant amount under this Program is paid on a matching basis (50%-50%) for eligible work to a maximum of a. $5,000 where the Applicant has entered into a lease term of between no less than three months and no longer than six months less a day; or b. $10,000 where the Applicant has entered into a lease term of six months or longer.

Deadline:

Continuous Intake

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

1. Applicant who is an authorized commercial tenant of a property that is the subject of the Program application.

2. within theAncaster, BartonVillage, Binbrook, Concession Street, Downtown Hamilton, Dundas, Locke Street, Ottawa Street, Stoney Creek, Waterdown and Westdale Commercial District CIPAs, the Mount Hope/Airport Gateway CIPA and the Strategic Commercial Corridor CIPAs as collectively defined through the Revitalizing Hamilton’s Commercial Districts Community Improvement Project Area (RHCD CIPA) By-law.

Application Steps:

Applicants must submit complete application form to the Economic Development Division.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Payment of Application Fee
3. Two (2) dated estimates for each of the permanent works being proposed for
funding
4. Copy of a draft lease agreement for the commercial space/building that is the
subject of a Program application
5. If the tenant of the property is the applicant, written authorization of the Property
Owner that the applicant is authorized to make the application must be included
with this application
6. Articles of Incorporation Documents (if applicable)
7. Articles of Amendment (if applicable)
8. Partnership Agreement Documents (if applicable)
9. Shareholders Registry (i.e. List of Shareholders and their respective percentage
ownership) (if applicable)
10. List of Applicant’s Officers and Directors (if applicable)
11. Anticipated start date for construction as well as anticipated completion date
12. Photos demonstrating state of property prior to construction/renovation taking
place. Hard copies of photos are to be date stamped.

Other Things to Note:

Web Page:

https://investinhamilton.ca/tools-data/financial-incentives/municipal-programs/commercial-vacancy-assistance-cva-program/
Maurice

About the author

Maurice
Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Ontario to identify and maximize government grants to grow their business. Click here to learn more about Moe’s background and how he can help your business.