Commercial/Mixed Use Building Facade Improvement Grant Program
Get reimbursed for 50% of eligible facade and signage costs, up to $12,500 per project (or $20,000 for heritage properties). This is a matching grant, so you pay first and get paid back after inspection.
Before you spend any money
Get the Town's approval before you start work or buy anything. Work started before approval is usually not eligible.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You own or operate a commercial or mixed-use property in Grimsby's designated improvement zone.
- You are planning exterior facade, storefront, or signage improvements.
- You can secure approval before starting any work or purchasing materials.
Probably not the right fit if
- Your property is outside the Downtown Grimsby Community Improvement Plan area.
- You have already started or completed the renovation work.
- You are looking for funding for interior-only improvements.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh (new facade, paint and exterior lighting):
Project cost
$25,000
Program pays
$12,500
You pay
$12,500
That's the program's maximum. A bigger project works, and the amount above the cap is yours to fund.
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
Grant of 50% of eligible costs to a max $12,500 per property/project (up to $20,000 for Ontario Heritage Act-designated properties); Region may match up to a further $5,000
What may be supported
- Front and side facade improvement/restoration
- Storefront improvement/restoration
- Commercial signage and display areas
- Works on commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings
How applying works
Effort: mediumYou apply to the Town with quotes and photos, get approval before you start, then claim the grant after the work is done.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the Town's written approval before you start
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you get 50% back after it is done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved before you start any work or buy anything. Work started early is usually not eligible.
- Only properties inside the Downtown Grimsby Community Improvement Plan area qualify. Confirm your address qualifies before you spend any money.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Ask the Town whether the program is taking applications now and still has funding. If your property is in the Downtown Grimsby Community Improvement Plan area, the main risk is starting work before you are approved.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
What you can combine it with
This grant may combine with provincial or federal programs for the same project. Niagara Region may add up to a further $5,000. Ask the Town and each program office what can be combined.
Related programs
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.