Medicine Hat City Centre Vibrancy Program
Businesses in Medicine Hat's City Centre can get a 50% matching grant up to $15,000, plus an optional interest-free loan up to $15,000. You pay for the work first, then get reimbursed after inspection. Applications are open.
“This program provides a 50% matching grant of eligible, approved pre-tax expenses up to a maximum of $15,000, with an opportunity to apply for an interest-free loan for an additional $15,000, provided by Community Futures Entre-Corp.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything. Work that starts before approval may not be covered.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You operate a storefront business within Medicine Hat's designated City Centre area.
- You are planning permanent interior or exterior renovations like signage or lighting.
- You can secure approval from the city before you start any work or buy materials.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside Medicine Hat or its specific City Centre Improvement District.
- You have already started or completed the renovation work.
- You need funding for temporary displays or non-permanent improvements.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh (new facade, paint and exterior lighting):
Project cost
$30,000
Program pays
$15,000
You pay
$15,000
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.
50% matching grant up to $15,000, + an optional interest-free loan up to $15,000
What may be supported
- facade improvements
- signage
- lighting
- permanent interior and exterior space improvements
- accessibility
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
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're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything. Work started before approval may not qualify.
- Only businesses in Medicine Hat's designated City Centre area qualify. Confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
To qualify, your business must be in Medicine Hat's City Centre area, the program must still have money this year, and you must be approved before work starts.
More funding by what it pays for
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.
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Tourism
Grants and loans that may help pay for visitor marketing and online booking.
What you can combine it with
You may be able to combine this with provincial or federal programs for the same project. Ask the city which ones can be combined.
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.