There are a variety of incentives available for businesses seeking to grow and improve their business in Quesnel.
This program provides grants to property and business owners to renovate, restore, or redesign commercial building facades and storefronts in the City of Quesnel. The goal of this program is to make commercial areas more inviting and visually appealing to visitors and residents, increase property values, promote private sector investment, build civic pride, and to stimulate the local economy.
NOTE: Limited funds are available for the 2024 Program, which total around $20,000.
This program can provide reimbursement grants of up to:
- 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, to a maximum of $5,000 per building/project:
- Building must be located in one of the following areas: Downtown Core, West Quesnel, South Quesnel Highway, North Quesnel Highway, or Residential-Commercial Transition (see Eligible Properties Map)
- Storefront projects must have a minimum total project cost of $2,000 in order to quality; OR
- 50% of the cost of eligible way-finding signage, to a maximum of $500 for businesses in the Residential-Commercial Transition area that have a storefront (see Eligible Properties Map).
Project applications must be submitted no later than May 31, 2024 (application submission deadline).
Projects must be completed with final supporting documents submitted no later than December 31, 2024 (project completion deadline).
To apply, complete the application form below (review guidelines and map first to ensure eligibility).
Contact the Planning Department at developmentservices@quesnel.ca or call 250-992-2111 to discuss your project before submitting an application.
Aimed at encouraging investment by heavy industry, the Revitalization Tax Exemption applies to major investment in specific industrial zones.
Construction, renovation, or improvements that will increase the assessed value by $16 million dollars are eligible for this exemption on properties in Class 4 (Major Industrial) and certain Class 6 areas.
The amount of the exemption will be calculated based on the difference between the base amount prior to improvements, and the full assessment following improvements. The maximum term is five years, plus one single renewal for an additional five years.
Interested parties are encouraged to review the full bylaw and to discuss their project with the Corporate Officer. The application will be made available through the Corporate Officer for appropriate projects.
In order to encourage capital investment at the Quesnel Regional Airport and create additional permanent employment in the community, a tax exemption may be available for light industrial or commercial development.
Projects on airport land that, upon completion, increase the assessed value of the land by at least $100,000.
The amount of a revitalization exemption from municipal property value taxes is as follows:
Year 1: 100% of the increased assessed value;
Year 2: 80% of the increased assessed value;
Year 3: 60% of the increased assessed value;
Year 4: 40% of the increased assessed value;
Year 5: 20% of the increased assessed value.
Review the complete terms of Bylaw 1740, Schedule A, B, and C before initiating an application with the Director of Corporate and Financial Services.
This program is intended to provide incentives for the development of multi-family housing units that improve accessibility as well as meet set design and livability standards.
Incentives may also be provided for affordable housing units and/or developments that are of low environmental impact if they first meet the requirements of the tax exemption program.