Facade and Signage Improvement Grant (Heart of the City CIP)
Get your storefront looking sharp with up to $10,000 for facade work and $2,000 for signage. This is a cost-share grant, so you pay first and get reimbursed 50% after approval. Applications are open.
How we verify funding records →
“Funding is based on 50% of the costs to a maximum of $10,000 for facade work and $2,000 for new signage.”
From the official program page
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 business in Cornwall's designated downtown or Le Village area
- You are planning exterior facade or signage improvements
- You can secure council approval before starting any work or buying materials
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside Cornwall's specific CIP or BIA zones
- You have already started or completed the work without prior approval
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh — new facade, paint and exterior lighting:
Project cost
$20,000
Program pays
$10,000
You pay
$10,000
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.
Façade: 50% of costs up to $10,000; Signage: 50% of costs up to $2,000
What may be supported
- Building facade improvements
- New signage
- Exterior renovation of commercial 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 your new storefront signs and coordinates qualified partners for fabrication, helping you draw more foot traffic with the signage portion of the grant.
- BBN coordinates the exterior renovation trades for your facade upgrades, managing the project so you deal with one team while the city reimburses 50% of the work.
- BBN guides you through application deadlines and scopes eligible facade and signage costs so you don't lose the funding.
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 Cornwall'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 Cornwall 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
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
Up to $45,000
Boost your bottom line by claiming a 10% refundable corporate income tax credit on eligible commercial or industrial building expenditures in…
Checked 5 days ago
Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000
Starter Company Plus pairs a grant of up to $5,000 with hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
Checked 5 days ago
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 5 days ago with the official source. Source: official program page.