Grants, Funding and City Subsidies

The City of Owen Sound supports local social, cultural and recreational programming in many ways. The City recognizes the importance of culture and heritage in our Strategic Plan and shows it through the support of such institutions as the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, the Billy Bishop Home and Museum, the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, and (through the County of Grey) Grey Roots Museum and Archives.

Please note that the City does not have a grants or funding program which community groups can apply to. If you have a community project which you feel deserves the City's support, we recommend that you first speak with a City staff member in the appropriate department. City staff are experts in their fields and may be able to guide you to appropriate funding agencies or potential partners for your project.

We also recommend that you visit the Community Foundation Grey Bruce website and review their application criteria to see if your project might be a good fit. The Community Foundation has many different funds set up to support different initiatives, including the Owen Sound Community Fund, dedicated to projects intending to improve the quality of life for Owen Sound residents.

City-Funded Help for Certain Projects and Programs

Owen Sound is able to provide subsidies to some specific projects and programs. Click a program title to learn more about it below.

Backflow Prevention Program (Commercial Properties)

Owen Sound’s Backflow Prevention Program helps keep municipal drinking water safe while providing a cost-saving opportunity for property owners. To support compliance with the Backflow Prevention By-Law, the City is offering a limited-time subsidy to help cover the cost of installing premise isolation and fire protection backflow preventers.

Through the Program, property owners are only required to pay a plumbing permit fee to have Backflow Preventers install on their property. The plumbing permit application can be completed online through Cloudpermit, and the City’s Backflow Coordinator can assist owners in applying for it.

To learn more about Backflow Prevention and the subsidy program available, visit the webpage at OwenSound.ca/BackflowPrevention.

Or contact Sharah Young, Backflow Coordinator, at 519-376-4274 ext. 3406 or syoung@owensound.ca.

Basement Isolation Program (Residential Properties)

This financial assistance program helps protect homes from sewer backups and reduces the strain on the City's sanitary system. By supporting the installation of backwater valves and limiting excess groundwater or non-sewer water from entering the system, the program helps lower treatment costs and prevent backups for residents.

Click here for the application for the Basement Isolation and Weeping Tile Sump Pump Subsidy Program.

For any questions about this program, please contact:
Engineering Services
City of Owen Sound
808 2nd Ave East, Owen Sound
519-376-4440 ext. 3302
engineering@owensound.ca

Community Improvement Plan - CIP (Primarily Commercial Properties)

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that allows municipal planners and economic developers to work together to create policies and provide incentives targeting specific types of growth and investment.

Primarily for commercial space enhancements, a CIP for the City of Owen Sound has been prepared to serve as a long-term strategy to revitalize the community.

The entirety of the City is designated as a Community Improvement Project Area. In addition, Council has identified the City's downtown and harbour area as a Community Improvement Project Sub-area.

The CIP has five financial incentive programs that provide capital grant funding to eligible property owners and authorized tenants of land and buildings each year:

Façade & Structural Improvement Grant Program
Accessibility Improvement Grant Program
Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant Program
Landscaping & Property Improvement Grant Program
Vacant Building Conversion & Expansion Grant Program

All CIP programs are subject to City budget allocation.

Click here to learn more about the Owen Sound CIP Grant Program, including how to apply.

Contact Us

808 2nd Avenue East,
Owen Sound, ON
N4K 2H4
Phone: 519-376-1440
Email us

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