YORKTON — Yorkton city council has approved a series of changes to its commercial incentive programs, renewing all three streams and removing long-standing restrictions that limited eligibility to locally owned businesses.
Council voted to renew the New Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program and the Vacant Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program, both without the clause restricting eligibility to locally owned businesses.
Council also renewed the Façade and Site Improvements Incentive Program, removing the Yorkton Business Improvement District’s financial contribution and related procedures, along with the requirement that businesses be locally owned. Instead, they must be Saskatchewan-owned.
Under the changes, both the New Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program and the Vacant Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program will now be open beyond strictly locally owned operations.
Administration noted the original clause was intended to prevent large national chains from receiving abatements. However, it was argued that many small businesses are owned by people living just outside the planning district who still consider Yorkton home.
Officials also pointed out that even larger companies employ residents who shop and raise families in the community. Limiting eligibility based on employee count, as previously discussed by the economic development committee, was deemed difficult to monitor and potentially burdensome for applicants.
For the Façade and Site Improvements Incentive Program, council approved its renewal while formally removing the Yorkton Business Improvement District’s sponsorship.
The district has indicated it will launch a new program in 2026 that better aligns with its priorities and allows it to fund more projects within its boundaries.
As part of the 2026 budget, council approved increasing funding for the Façade and Site Improvements Incentive Program from $100,000 to $115,000.
Since launching in 2021, that program has provided 31 businesses with more than $251,000 in support for exterior and site upgrades. In 2025 alone, 12 businesses were approved.
The Vacant Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program has seen more modest uptake. Three applications were approved in 2025, with two projects beginning construction that year and two additional properties receiving abatements as a result of earlier approvals.
Council has earmarked $50,000 annually for this stream. Any unused funds will be rolled over into the façade improvement program the following year.
The New Commercial Building Tax Abatement Program operates differently, abating only taxes generated by new assessments resulting from improvements. Because it does not require direct budget dollars, it is considered annually as part of the city’s broader tax policy.
Council’s decision reflects that review, with an emphasis on flexibility, streamlined administration and broader eligibility to encourage redevelopment across the city.
