The Façade Building Improvement grant provides funding for business and property owners to update and improve the exterior façade of their downtown commercial building.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the grant:
The applicant must be the tenant or the property owner. A letter of support from the property owner is required if the applicant is the tenant.
The building must be commercial or mixed-use (commercial-residential) and be located within one of the following downtown Community Improvement Plan Areas (CIPA): Allenford, Hepworth, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Teeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton, or Wiarton.
The project must comply with Municipal by-laws and have received appropriate permits and permissions.
A minimum of three major exterior projects from the eligible project list must occur. These can be a combination of grants funded under this grant category and the following categories: Fascia Signage, Perpendicular Signage, Awning, and Patio Installation.
The project should attempt to include elements from the applicable Community Toolkit whenever possible.
Project work must not have started (including purchasing any materials) until the application has been approved.
Properties previously awarded grants are not eligible for additional funding under the same grant category unless:
- The grant was provided more than five years ago; or
- Either the tenant and/or property owner changed since the last grant was provided; or
- The application is clearly for different physical elements of the building/property (as determined by County Staff)
Max Funding
50% of total project cost (excluding taxes) up to $4,000.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Architectural feature improvements, or additions (ex. beams, decorative molding)
- Brick or stone (or other masonry) installation, repointing, or restoration
- Exterior lighting / gooseneck lighting
- Painting storefront
- Permanent outdoor planters (ex. windowsill)
- Siding installation
- Take-out window installation
- Windows and doors upgrades
Ineligible Projects
Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- New building construction
- Roof repairs
- General maintenance repairs
- Greenery (e.g., plants, flowers, shrubs, etc.)
- Projects done to the rear / back side of building.
Branding and Design Elements
Gain inspiration and guidance for the project by reviewing design elements (colour pallets, materials and physical elements, and façade and signage examples) from the applicable Community Toolkit: Allenford, Hepworth, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Teeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton, or Wiarton.
