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Façade Building Improvement Grant

Updated, aesthetically-pleasing, and well-maintained building facades creates vibrancy in our downtown cores and encourages the public to stop, shop, and dine.
Spruce the Bruce Grants

The Façade Building Improvement grant provides funding for business and property owners to update and improve the exterior façade of their downtown commercial building.

Facade Building Improvement Grant

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, Chesley, Hepworth, Kincardine, Lion's Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Tara, Teeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton or Wiarton.

The project must comply with Municipal bylaws 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 one of 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 (e.g., beams, decorative molding)
  • Brick or stone (or other masonry) installation, repointing or restoration
  • Exterior lighting / gooseneck lighting
  • Painting storefront
  • Permanent outdoor planters (e.g., 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 palettes, materials and physical elements, and façade and signage examples) from the applicable Community Toolkit: Allenford, ChesleyHepworth, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, TaraTeeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton or Wiarton.

Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Areas

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that allows a municipality to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward a specifically defined project area and are intended to encourage rehabilitation initiatives and/or stimulate development.

Find the eligible Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA) for this grant: AllenfordChesleyHepworthKincardineLion's HeadLucknowMildmayPaisleyPort ElginRipleySauble BeachSouthamptonTaraTeeswaterTobermoryWalkerton and Wiarton.

Have questions or require more information?