By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
Chatham-Kent Council approved a request from a local company to turn the former Salvation Army Thrift Store into a combined commercial and residential complex.
Council also approved funding for several Ridgetown and East Kent organizations through the 2026 Together CK Grant program at its Feb. 23 meeting.
Main-Ridge Inc. was approved through the consent agenda for assistance under the Community Improvement Plan and the Property Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Agreement.
The company will receive an annual grant equivalent to 100% of the increase in municipal property taxes resulting from the development of a Mixed-Use Commercial/Residential Use in a Downtown Area for five years.
The Property Tax Increment Equivalent Program provides an incentive to reduce the tax increase when a property is developed, redeveloped or rehabilitated.
Main-Ridge Inc. plans to redevelop the existing buildings at 14 and 18 Main Street, East, into three businesses and nine residential units.
Three commercial units and two residential units are planned for the ground floor, with an additional seven residential units on the second floor.
The total construction value is estimated at $1,300,000.
Meanwhile, Council voted unanimously to approve grants to 66 applicants, totalling $375,000 in funding from the 2026 Together CK Grant program.
Five local organizations were among 22 successful applicants sharing in $134,783 in the Community Projects category.
The Ridgetown & District Horticultural Society will receive $8,022 for their community garden restructuring and optimization project.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 243 was granted for $6,775 for its ‘Renewing The Heart of Br. 243’ project.
The Erie Street United Church will get a $2,622 grant for air conditioners in its community hall.
The Duart Community Hall was approved for an $8,022 grant for its stage and storage product.
The Friends of the Bothwell Catholic Cemetery received $4,438 for its walking with history project.
Four local events were among the 39 successful candidates for Community Events’ funding, sharing in $137,607.
The East Kent Celebrates Committee was granted $4,522 for its summer concert series.
The Ridgetown & Area Adult Activity Centre received $4,050 for its 5W’s event.
The Ridgetown BIA is getting a $4,022 grant for its Canada Day Weekend celebration.
The Bothwell Royal Canadian Legion Branch 252 was approved for $3,522 for its 100th anniversary celebration.
Five organizations were approved to share in $102,610 major funding under the Significant Event category.
The Thamesville Threshing Festival Inc. received $20,022 in funding for its 2026 event, as its theme is ‘Honouring The Past, Measuring The Future,’ scheduled for June 19-20 in Ferguson Park.
Chatham-Kent Crowfest received $22,522, the Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre (Dresden Night Market), Historic Downtown Chatham BIA (Retrofest) and Wallaceburg Antique Motor & Boating Outing were all approved for $20,022.
“This is extremely good news,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said after Council’s unanimous vote to approve the 66 successful applicants. “This impacts organizations across Chatham-Kent and helps volunteers to put their most resource – their time – in helping them to make these events and projects make our community even better.”
Canniff said the Together CK grant program is about investing in the people and communities that make Chatham-Kent such a vibrant place to live.
“From major festivals to grassroots community projects, these investments support connection, culture, and economic activity across the entire municipality,” the Mayor said.
Since Together CK was launched 25 years ago, the funding has supported 443 events and 548 projects.
