Cold Lake, AB – Applications are now being accepted for the Business Retention and Attraction Incentive Program (BRAIP), after City Council voted to renew it for another year.

“When business owners renovate their properties, enhance the look and function of their buildings, or demolish older, unsightly buildings and construct new ones, it not only improves their business, but it’s an investment in the community,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “It makes Cold Lake more attractive for people who are looking to live and do business here, and we’re glad to help business owners make these upgrades that benefit us all.”

Four local businesses took advantage of the program in 2021, which provides a municipal tax rebate to owners who:

• Enhance existing buildings
• Construct new buildings/additions to buildings
• Demolish existing buildings

The program pays 100% percent of the difference between the pre and post-construction tax levy and is paid out over three years. The program also offers incentives for projects that are primarily cosmetic in nature and consist of internal or external renovations that do not change the overall size of the building. Such projects are eligible for a one-time rebate equal to 10% of the municipal tax levied on the property in the year the project is completed.

Several business take advantage of the BRAIP rebate each year and the City encourages all business owners planning construction or renovations to their property, to consider it. The number of applications received each year since the program began are listed below:

• 2010 – 4
• 2011 – 2
• 2012 – 0
• 2013 – 1
• 2014 – 2
• 2015 – 3
• 2016 – 2
• 2017 – 4
• 2018 – 3
• 2019 – 5
• 2020 – 4
• 2021 – 4