Three County Programs Help Fuel Local Municipal Growth, Investment, and Housing
As communities across Middlesex County prepare for future growth, three County funding programs are helping municipalities advance locally determined housing, infrastructure, employment lands, and economic development priorities.
The Community Improvement Support Program, Employment Lands Readiness Program, and Middlesex County Loan Program provide municipalities with tools to attract investment, expand housing options, prepare employment lands for development, and bring serviced land to market sooner. Together, these programs strengthen local municipal capacity and support communities in achieving their locally determined planning and development goals.
Community Improvement Support Program (CISP)
Adopted by County Council in September 2025, the Community Improvement Support Program (CISP) enhances the impact of local Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) by sharing the cost of municipal incentive programs. When a local municipality provides an incentive through its CIP, Middlesex County can reimburse up to 50% of the municipal contribution.
The program does not create separate County-led incentives. Instead, it complements existing municipal programs, allowing local municipalities to retain control over eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and program administration.
The Middlesex County CISP includes the following funding streams:
General Property Revitalization
Supports improvements that enhance community appearance, accessibility, and vibrancy, including façade upgrades, signage improvements, accessibility enhancements, and streetscaping projects. County reimbursement is available for up to $5,000 per project.
Industrial and Commercial Development
Encourages private-sector investment through support for site redevelopment, business park expansion, and the adaptive reuse of vacant industrial and commercial properties. County reimbursement is available for up to $25,000 per project, with larger contributions considered for strategic employment-generating investments.
Housing-Related Development
Supports initiatives that increase housing supply, including affordable housing, purpose-built rental developments, additional residential units, and infill projects. County reimbursement is available for up to 50% of municipally determined funding maximums.
Tax Increment Financing
The County program also mirrors local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant programs on the County portion of property taxes, helping improve the financial viability of larger redevelopment projects without requiring upfront cash incentives.
Applications are submitted by local municipalities on an ongoing basis, subject to eligibility requirements and available funding.
Employment Lands Readiness Program
The Employment Lands Readiness Program helps local municipalities complete the planning and technical studies needed to move employment lands closer to development readiness.
The program provides interest-free loans of up to $200,000 per municipality per year, repayable over a period of up to five years. Funding may be used for environmental assessments, servicing master plans, transportation studies, utility capacity assessments, Official Plan amendments, and other work that supports employment land development.
Priority is given to projects that support Regionally Significant Employment Areas, lands with demonstrated market potential, and locations that can contribute to assessment growth and economic diversification. By helping municipalities complete critical pre-development work, the program reduces barriers to investment and helps ensure employment lands are ready when opportunities arise.
Middlesex County Loan Program
The Middlesex County Loan Program helps local municipalities finance critical water and wastewater infrastructure needed to support growth.
Municipalities can access interest-free loans of up to $4.8 million, or 50% of eligible project costs, whichever is less, with repayment terms of up to 15 years.
Priority is given to growth-related infrastructure projects, including treatment plant expansions, trunk main extensions, and oversized infrastructure designed to accommodate future development. Additional consideration is given to projects that support industrial growth and employment opportunities.
By reducing borrowing costs and accelerating infrastructure investment, the County Loan Program helps municipalities advance growth-related infrastructure projects, bring serviced land to market more quickly, and create opportunities for residential, commercial, and industrial development.
Supporting Growth Across Middlesex County
Together, these programs demonstrate a coordinated commitment by Middlesex County and its local municipalities to support sustainable growth and long-term economic prosperity.
While local municipalities continue to establish planning priorities and development objectives, Middlesex County provides complementary funding tools that help advance those goals. By supporting housing development, infrastructure investment, employment land readiness, and community revitalization, these programs help communities respond to growth opportunities and remain competitive in attracting new investment.
For businesses, developers, and property owners considering investment in Middlesex County, these initiatives signal a region committed to building the infrastructure, development-ready lands, and supportive planning environment needed to accommodate future growth.
For more information about these programs, contact the Middlesex County Economic Development team at @email