Community Development Projects

Brockton is supporting young entrepreneurs through the new Saugeen Student Start-Up Program, which gives students in Grades 6-12 the chance to start their own businesses with a grant and paid training over the summer months. 

The program is new for 2019 and is open to students in Brockton, Hanover, West Grey, Minto and North Wellington who apply before June 14th. Download the Saugeen SSUP Application Form and send us your business idea for a chance to receive $200 in start-up money and an additional $100 upon completion of the program. 

We are also looking for business and community sponsors, as the program is self-funded. Let us know if you are interested in becoming a sponsor. A big thank you to the Walkerton Rotary Club, the Walkerton Optimist Club and Wilfred McIntee & Co. Ltd. for already coming on board as Saugeen SSUP supporters!

The outside of your business counts as much as the inside, and we have a facade program to help you look your best and attract customers!

The Brockton Façade Improvement Program is funded by the Economic Development Committee with the objective of enhancing the exterior appearance of businesses within the Community Improvement Area of Walkerton.

Business or building owners are invited to submit an application. 

View the Brockton Facade Improvement Program Overview and Application for more details about the program and application process.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of Economic Development Committee members. Work must be completed before the end of the year in which the facade improvement was approved, and paid invoices must be submitted. 

Please contact Brockton's Community Development Coordinator for more information at 519-881-2223 ext 131, or email ppeirol@brockton.ca. 

Please ensure that you are conforming to all by-laws for signage, lighting and awnings prior to applying. Contact the Municipality of Brockton Building Department for detailed information at 519-881-2223, extension 127 or 130.

Business Retention and Expansion Project (BR+E)

The Municipality of Brockton is committed to its local businesses and aims to help them thrive. It recently completed a BR+E project surveying 52 businesses, both urban and rural, seeking to to identify opportunities and remove any barriers to retain and grow existing businesses.

Results and recommendations are contained in the Business Retention and Expansion Project Final Report, approved by Brockton Council in November, 2018. 

The businesses surveyed rated Brockton's location, quality of life, cost of doing business, customer loyalty, small town setting, attractive community and thriving downtown as some of the top advantages to running a business in Brockton. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed said their businesses were either stable or expanding. 

Four key priority areas were identified in the study, with action plans for each:

• Population Growth
• Business Browth 
• Communication
• Amenities

The BR&E project was designed to strengthen the community, enable business development, investment and job creation, and solidify relationships between organizations.  Existing businesses are committed to the community and the Municipality is committed to their success.  

This year's Spruce the Bruce program for 2019 is open and accepting applications! Act quickly as grant funding is limited. 

Spruce the Bruce supports local community efforts to facilitate long-term downtown revitalization plans, bringing together stakeholders to build community capacity and assist with strategic policy and capital investment.

The program provides communities with the resources to develop strategies and implementation methods necessary to maintain and grow healthy commercial areas in association with the County and various partners.

View the Walkerton Toolkit for more information on Walkerton's marketing, physical design branding, organization and collaboration efforts, and economic development goals.