Due to increased interest in the City’s Commercial Façade Grant program, the deadline for 2017 applications has been extended two weeks, until December 29, 2016 at 5 p.m.

Applications and information about the program are available at Lindsey.Maksim. Once completed, applications may be submitted in the City’s Community Development offices, Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St., suite 320.

Mayor Tom Henry introduced the Commercial Façade Grant program in 2008 as part of his ongoing commitment to help local businesses thrive and expand, particularly in the heart of the City. The program is designed to assist business owners in making improvements to the exterior of their commercial properties. Enhancements can include new siding, architectural features, signage, lighting, awnings, parking improvements, decorative fencing and more.

The City requires applicants to provide a dollar-for-dollar match in order to receive the grant. Since the program began, a total of 84 projects have been completed along heavily traveled corridors such as Wells, Main, and Calhoun streets. In order to be eligible for a façade grant, a business must be located within one of the City’s Economic Development Target Areas, which are commercial corridors that are more challenging to redevelop because of the age of the buildings.