Share Economic Development Community Improvement Plan on FacebookShare Economic Development Community Improvement Plan on TwitterShare Economic Development Community Improvement Plan on LinkedinEmail Economic Development Community Improvement Plan link
We're currently working on an Economic Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the City of Sarnia, exploring new strategies to enhance our community's economic competitiveness and attract long‑term investment. .
Project Background
A key recommendation of the City's Economic Development Master Plan was the creation of an Economic Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP) as a tool to attract investment, retain businesses, and support sustainable economic development. The CIP will focus on enhancing economic development opportunities, and supporting business expansion, industrial development, and job creation in Sarnia.
What Is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool used by municipalities to stimulate targeted growth, redevelopment, and revitalization. Through a CIP, municipalities can identify specific geographic areas or sectors that would benefit from additional support and create programs — such as grants, incentives, or infrastructure improvements — that help achieve community or economic development goals.
Project Objectives
The Economic Development CIP aims to:
Identify opportunities for industrial and commercial investment and recommend tools that enhance competitiveness.
Develop clear, strategic incentives tailored to attract new businesses and support existing industries.
Strengthen the City's capacity for long‑term economic growth, ensuring Sarnia can respond to emerging opportunities.
Together, these objectives help position Sarnia as a more attractive and competitive location for new and expanding businesses.
Get Involved
A central part of this project is meaningful engagement with residents, local businesses, and community partners. Throughout the process, there will be opportunities to provide feedback directly through this website, review of draft materials, and public meetings.
Your input will help shape a plan that reflects community priorities, supports local businesses, and strengthens the City's long‑term economic future. Consult the news feed below to stay informed on opportunities to engage alongside other updates. You can subscribe to the 'Stay informed' widget on this page for email updates.
We're currently working on an Economic Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the City of Sarnia, exploring new strategies to enhance our community's economic competitiveness and attract long‑term investment. .
Project Background
A key recommendation of the City's Economic Development Master Plan was the creation of an Economic Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP) as a tool to attract investment, retain businesses, and support sustainable economic development. The CIP will focus on enhancing economic development opportunities, and supporting business expansion, industrial development, and job creation in Sarnia.
What Is a Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool used by municipalities to stimulate targeted growth, redevelopment, and revitalization. Through a CIP, municipalities can identify specific geographic areas or sectors that would benefit from additional support and create programs — such as grants, incentives, or infrastructure improvements — that help achieve community or economic development goals.
Project Objectives
The Economic Development CIP aims to:
Identify opportunities for industrial and commercial investment and recommend tools that enhance competitiveness.
Develop clear, strategic incentives tailored to attract new businesses and support existing industries.
Strengthen the City's capacity for long‑term economic growth, ensuring Sarnia can respond to emerging opportunities.
Together, these objectives help position Sarnia as a more attractive and competitive location for new and expanding businesses.
Get Involved
A central part of this project is meaningful engagement with residents, local businesses, and community partners. Throughout the process, there will be opportunities to provide feedback directly through this website, review of draft materials, and public meetings.
Your input will help shape a plan that reflects community priorities, supports local businesses, and strengthens the City's long‑term economic future. Consult the news feed below to stay informed on opportunities to engage alongside other updates. You can subscribe to the 'Stay informed' widget on this page for email updates.
Share Economic Development CIP Resident and Partner Surveys on FacebookShare Economic Development CIP Resident and Partner Surveys on TwitterShare Economic Development CIP Resident and Partner Surveys on LinkedinEmail Economic Development CIP Resident and Partner Surveys link
As we initiate the Partner and Community Engagement phase of the Economic Development CIP project, we are looking to residents and partners such as business owners to provide their insight and input to help inform a draft plan. Both surveys are open until March 6, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Resident Survey
Follow the link below to take the survey for Sarnia residents.
Follow the link below to access the survey for partners such as business owners / operators; industry representatives; developers; investors and real estate professionals.
Economic Development Community Improvement Plan has finished this stage
Collection of baseline information, review of existing policies, and analysis of current economic conditions. Phase 1 of the project has been completed with the preparation of a Needs Assessment & Policy Context Report, which included a review of the current policy context and conducted a jurisdictional review of CIP programs in other communities to help inform the development of the EDCIP.
Phase 2 – Partner & Community Consultation
Economic Development Community Improvement Plan is currently at this stage
Engagement with local businesses, industry members, community members, and other partners to gather insights and identify priorities.
Phase 3 – Development of Draft CIP
this is an upcoming stage for Economic Development Community Improvement Plan
Preparation of draft recommendations, incentive options, and implementation strategies and sharing draft materials for community input.
Phase 4 – Final CIP & Adoption
this is an upcoming stage for Economic Development Community Improvement Plan
Refinement of CIP based on input from partners and the community. Presentation of the final plan to Sarnia City Council for consideration and adoption.
