Graffiti and Vandalism Remediation Fund and other business supports

The City of Oshawa has been deeply concerned by recent acts of vandalism to some of the private business properties in our downtown and surrounding area. We stand with our businesses in condemning this illegal behaviour. We have been working with the Durham Regional Police Service who are investigating further and have taken appropriate action.

The City of Oshawa is fully committed to supporting the local business community. This includes actively supporting property owners undertaking preventative, reparative and beautification improvements to their commercial buildings as part of the City’s commitment to revitalizing Downtown Oshawa.

Graffiti and Vandalism Remediation Fund

In 2024, the City introduced a one-time fund of $100,000 to support businesses in addressing the remediation of graffiti and vandalism acts to properties. This grant provides businesses with funds for eligible commercial or industrial property graffiti and vandalism repairs or to implement eligible preventative measures.

The grant program offers two types of rebates; the first, Reparative; and the second, Preventative. A property owner or business owner can apply to one or both programs. Reparative and Preventative Rebate applications are retroactive to January 1, 2024, accepted year-round, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Downtown Oshawa businesses have started to receive funding from this program and we strongly encourage any affected businesses throughout the city to visit the Graffiti and Vandalism Remediation webpage for further program details or reach out to [email protected] to discuss how we can support you.

$3 Million to Address Health and Safety

The Region of Durham is responsible for social services, shelters, community housing, public health and police services. With that said, the City of Oshawa continues to invest in support with over $3 million spent annually to address health and safety for residents and businesses. Recent programs available include:

• support for our Downtown Business community through additional lighting, security, addressing graffiti and garbage removal;
• daily sidewalk and road cleaning programs in the downtown;
• daily cleanup of street facing business entrances in the downtown;
• introducing new opportunities for downtown businesses to apply for the Community Improvement Plan grant for security and safety items;
• proactive parks patrol and cleaning of trails and parks across the city;
• increased patrol 24/7 in the downtown by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Corporate Security Officers; and,
• Oshawa Fire’s new specialized Rapid Response Unit combined with 20 additional firefighters to support quick and efficient response to emergency calls.

Urban Growth Centre Community Improvement Plan

The City’s Urban Growth Centre Community Improvement Plan offers financial incentive programs to encourage development and redevelopment in the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre.

Businesses within the Urban Growth Centre are encouraged to learn more about the five financial incentive programs:

1. Conversion to Residential Grant
2. Economic Stimulus Grant
3. Façade and Accessibility Improvement Grant
4. Increased Assessment Grant
5. Upgrade to Building and Fire Codes Grant

To find out more, please contact the Business and Economic Development Services team at [email protected] or 905-436-5617.