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Spruce the Bruce

Spruce the Bruce aims to build vibrant communities by supporting local businesses, municipalities and community partners. The program brings partners together to create a vision for future growth and development and provides tools and grants to achieve that vision.

Applications are now open for 2024. Discover how to apply and check program and community eligibility below.

Bruce County is invested in residents, businesses, visitors and communities. The Spruce the Bruce program supports the growth and vibrancy of our communities by supporting commercial areas and public experiences.

Spruce the Bruce Business Grants

Façade Building Improvement Grant

Facade Building Improvement GrantThe Façade Building Improvement grant provides funding for business and property owners to update and improve the exterior façade of the downtown commercial building.

Fascia Signage Grant

Facade Building Improvement GrantThe Fascia Signage grant provides funding for business and property owners to install a new and updated façade (flat / fascia) sign on the exterior of the downtown commercial building.

Perpendicular Signage Grant

Perpendicular Signage GrantThe Perpendicular Signage grant provides funding for business and property owners to install a new perpendicular (blade / projecting) sign on the exterior of the downtown commercial building.

Awning Grant

Awning GrantThe Awning grant provides funding for business and property owners to install an awning on the exterior of the downtown commercial building.
 

Patio Installation Grant

Patio Installation GrantThe Patio Installation grant provides funding for business and property owners to install or expand an outdoor patio for their guests and visitors to enjoy food and beverage on. The patio may be a sidewalk patio, rooftop patio or back patio.

Community Marketing Grant

Community Marketing Grant

The Community Marketing grant provides funding for businesses or municipalities, not-for-profits or charities with a focus or mandate to service visitors to collaboratively develop a package itinerary or marketing campaign that stimulates the local downtown economy.

Agri-Food Innovation Grant

Agri-Food Innovation GrantThe Agri-Food Innovation grant provides funding for agricultural operators to improve or implement new value-added and innovative technologies, software and hardware.

Business Accessibility Adaptability Grant

Business Accessibility Adaptability GrantThe Business Accessibility Adaptability grant provides funding for business and property owners to upgrade or renovate the exterior or interior of their commercial building to remove or reduce barriers for people with disabilities.

Product and Experience Development Grant

Product and Experience Development GrantThe Product and Experience Development / Enhancement grant provides funding for tourism business and property owners of tourism establishments to improve the visitor experience by making upgrades and enhancements to their products, services and physical location.

Residential Improvement Grant

Product and Experience Development GrantThe Residential Improvement grant provides funding for business and property owners to upgrade or renovate their mixed-use (commercial-residential) building to add new residential units or increase occupancy in existing units for long-term rental use.

Spruce the Bruce Community Grants

Community Marketing Grant

Community Marketing GrantThe Community Marketing grant provides funding for businesses or municipalities, not-for-profits or charities with a focus or mandate to service visitors to collaboratively develop a package itinerary or marketing campaign that stimulates the local downtown economy.

Streetscape Beautification Grant

Streetscape Beautification GrantThe Streetscape Beautification grant provides funding for municipalities or their entities, Business Improvement Areas or registered Chambers of Commerce to install or improve streetscape improvements in the downtown core that improve the vibrancy of the downtown.

Community Signage Grant

Community Signage GrantThe Community Signage grant provides funding for a municipality, not-for-profit or charity with a focus or mandate to service visitors, to install signage that improves the visitor experience.

Destination Infrastructure and Active Transportation Grant

Destination Infrastructure & Active Transportation GrantThe Destination Infrastructure and Active Transportation grant provides funding for municipalities, not-for-profits and charitable organizations charity with a focus or mandate to service visitors, to install or enhance infrastructure or make capital improvements that improve the quality of core visitor attractions or active transportation areas.

 

Community Improvement Plans (CIP)

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that allows a municipality to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward a specifically defined project area and are intended to encourage rehabilitation initiatives and stimulate development.

Façade Improvement, Fascia Signage, Perpendicular Signage, Awning, Patio Installation, Community Marketing and Streetscape Beautification grants all require the project to take place within a Downtown Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA).

Agri-Food Innovation, Business Accessibility Adaptability, Product and Experience Development / Enhancement and Residential Improvement grants all require the project to take place in a Community Improvement Project Area.

Community Signage and Destination Infrastructure and Active Transportation grants require the project to occur within Bruce County Boundaries.

Find the Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) for your community here: Allenford, Brockton (municipal-wide), Cargill, Chepstow, ChesleyElmwood, HepworthKincardine, Lion's Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, PaisleyPinkerton, Point Clark, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Tara, Teeswater, TobermoryWalkerton and Wiarton.

Community Toolkits

If applying for a Community Marketing, Streetscape Beautification, Community Signage or Destination Infrastructure and Active Transportation grant, the project must comply with and use elements from the applicable Community Toolkit.

If applying for a Façade Building Improvement, Fascia Signage, Perpendicular Signage, Awning or Patio Installation grant, the project should attempt to include elements from the applicable Community Toolkit whenever possible.

Find the branding elements for your community here: Allenford, ChesleyHepworth, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, TaraTeeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton and Wiarton.

Community Transformations

The Spruce the Bruce Story Map shows the transformation of our communities since the program's inception in 2010. This transformation started from a plan — Community Toolkit. Bruce County and community leaders have taken the tools from the plan, capitalized on Spruce the Bruce grants, and brought their community vision to life.

Each point on the map represents a project supported by Spruce the Bruce project. 

View the Spruce the Bruce Story Map in a new window.