Downtown businesses struggling through construction could get funding boost from grant program in Brampton

Businesses in Brampton’s downtown core struggling through ongoing construction could get some financial support from the city through a new pilot program.

Work crews are gearing up to replace aging watermains and sanitary sewers in downtown Brampton starting next week, closing Main St. and Queen St. to all vehicle traffic for nearly a month – the latest in a string of construction projects downtown near the city’s Four Corners.

And while there will still be pedestrian access for local businesses impacted by the traffic shutdown, the city is looking to help out businesses feeling the sting of construction-related worries.

A new pilot project called the Downtown Construction Mitigation Grant is looking to make $150,000 in grants available to businesses in the Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (BIA), with funding for the project coming from the city’s reserve funds.

If approved, the funds would be made available to for-profit businesses located within the downtown BIA boundary which have been in business for a min of six months and are part of the affected construction areas.

Eligible businesses would include retail stores, restaurants and personal service businesses, while corporations like non-profits, real estate businesses, financial institutions like banks, and post-secondary institutions, among others will not be able to apply for funding.

Brampton City Council heard an update on the proposed project on Wednesday (Aug. 9), with Coun. Paul Vicente saying the funds will provide relief to businesses that are “going through a lot right now with the impacts in construction.”

If the grant program is approved, funding could be made available through 2025.

With current plans for the grant only open to those in the BIA boundary, Coun. Rowena Santos asked city staff to report back to council on whether it would be possible to extend the grant to businesses on Nelson St., which are just outside the boundary area, or expand the BIA footprint altogether.

City staff are expected to report back to council with an updated framework for the project in September.

The road closures at Queen and Main are expected to last until Sept. 8, with all vehicles being rerouted to the next major intersection to avoid disruptions to those living on residential streets near the worksite.