At its meeting on February 24, 2026, the Port Colborne City Council approved a request to expand the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) area by adding a vacant property at 395 Elm Street. This expansion allows the property owner to apply for municipal grants and incentives designed to revitalize the downtown core and improve local streetscapes.
The decision followed a session where the council also addressed planning for the city’s future growth, including hearing delegations from local resident Maureen Anthes and Aaron Butler of NPG Planning Solutions Inc. regarding a proposed subdivision project. City staff will now work with the newly included property to help the owners access available revitalization resources.
The Incentives and Grants program, which underwent a major overhaul in late 2023, is intended to support commercial building repairs, affordable housing development, and the remediation of brownfield sites. By gradually expanding this area, the city aims to boost local commerce and encourage private investment in the community.
Officials say the addition of properties to the CIP area has an immediate impact on owners seeking to improve their buildings. This update aligns with the city’s broader 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which focuses on sustainable economic growth and urban renewal.
