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 a dollar
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything — starting early is the #1 way owners lose this funding.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →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 upgrades.
- You can secure approval before starting any work or purchasing materials.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside the Grimsby CIP or BIA boundaries.
- 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.
That's work we build. Price my project like this →
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: mediumA city application with quotes/photos; approval before you start, then claim after completion.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Before you apply
Your application will likely need written quotes
Programs like this usually ask for written estimates for the work before they approve anything, and some require as many as three. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN designs high-impact commercial signage and display areas that draw eyes to your storefront, turning the grant into a permanent marketing asset.
- BBN coordinates qualified partners for your facade and storefront restoration, managing the project so you get a polished look without juggling contractors.
- Focus on your renovation while BBN watches the approval timeline so you avoid costly mistakes and secure your matching funds.
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything — starting early disqualifies most of these.
- Area-gated to Grimsby's designated CIP/BIA zone — confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year — confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Area-gated and funding-limited, but a straightforward fit if your Grimsby address qualifies and you apply before starting.
Related BBN services
Storefront Signs & Sign Boards
Sign concepts, mockups and measurements done right. Fabrication and installation quoted and managed for you.
Storefront & Facade Improvements
Facade refresh concepts, visualizations and contractor coordination, scoped the way municipal improvement programs expect.
Accessibility Improvements
Accessible websites, clear signage, and ramps or entrance work handled by licensed trades.
What you can combine it with
May combine with provincial/federal programs for the same project — we'll check what stacks.
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.
Record last updated ; last verified 6 days ago with the official source. Source: official program page.