The facade improvement grant
A matching grant for the front of a building. The most common small-business incentive in Texas downtowns.
A facade improvement grant reimburses a business or property owner for part of the cost of exterior work on a building, usually 50 percent up to a cap. Texas programs range from about $2,500 to $25,000 per project. It is the most common small-business incentive in Texas downtowns.
What is a facade improvement grant?
The classic. A business or property owner proposes exterior work, the EDC or city approves it, and reimburses a share after the work is done. The usual shape is a 50 percent match with a cap.
Texas examples run the full range. Marshall matches 50 percent up to $2,500. Belton matches 50/50 up to $10,000 per facade inside its Downtown Development District. Maypearl matches 1:1 up to $7,000. El Paso's downtown program matches dollar for dollar. Mission EDC's Downtown Assistance Program awards up to $25,000 per applicant for facade repairs, windows and similar work.
Why does it work?
- Visible wins. A fresh storefront is the easiest economic development result to photograph.
- Every dollar is matched by private money.
- It gives you a reason to knock on every door on the block.
How do you start a facade improvement grant?
- Draw the district. Downtown, a corridor, or the whole city.
- Set the match and the cap. Fifty percent is the norm.
- Require before photos, two bids and a simple design review.
- Reimburse after completion, on receipts.
- Photograph the after and put it in the board packet.
Texas examples
- Belton EDC Facade Improvement Grants: 50/50 match, capped at $10,000 per facade
- Mission EDC Downtown Assistance Program: up to $25,000 per applicant
- City of Maypearl Facade Improvement Matching Grant: 1:1 match, up to $7,000
- City of Marshall Facade Improvement Grant: 50 percent match, up to $2,500
- City of El Paso Downtown Commercial Facade Improvement Grant guidelines: dollar-for-dollar match
What to watch out for
- Reimbursement means the owner fronts the money. Small owners may need a progress payment.
- Type A and Type B money has rules. Have your attorney confirm the project qualifies before you promise anything.
The digital version: Digital Facade points the same idea at the storefront customers see first, the Google listing, and reaches every business in town instead of one.
Questions directors ask
How much do Texas facade grants pay?
Marshall matches 50 percent up to $2,500. Belton matches 50/50 up to $10,000 per facade. Maypearl matches 1:1 up to $7,000. Mission EDC awards up to $25,000 per applicant.
Can a Type A or Type B EDC fund facade grants?
Many do, but the project has to qualify under the Development Corporation Act. Get your attorney's answer in writing before you publish the program.
What should the application require?
Before photos, two bids, a simple design review, and reimbursement on receipts after the work is complete.