Thunder Bay Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
Thunder Bay pays back 50% of the cost of facade and signage improvements, up to $10,000. This is a cost-share grant: you pay for the work first, and the city pays its share after the work is done.
“These grants can be combined for a total maximum of $25,000 per property.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything. If you start before approval, you can lose this funding.
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 Thunder Bay's designated CIP or BIA zones.
- You are planning exterior improvements such as facade repairs, new signage, or lighting.
- You are ready to submit your application and secure approval before any work begins.
Probably not the right fit if
- Your business is located outside Thunder Bay or outside the specific CIP/BIA improvement areas.
- You have already started or completed the construction or signage work.
- You are looking for funding that does not require you to pay upfront costs first.
How much you'd realistically get
50% of costs, up to $10,000 (stackable to $25,000)
What may be supported
- facade
- signage
- awnings
- lighting
- masonry cleaning/restoration
- storefront redesign
- cornices/parapets
How applying works
Effort: mediumYou apply to the city 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 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
- You pay for the work first. The city pays back its share, up to half, after the work is done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything.
- Only properties in Thunder Bay's core CIP areas qualify (North Core, South Core and Westfort). Confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
City funding is limited each year. Check with the City of Thunder Bay that your address qualifies and money is still available, then apply before you start work.
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
You can combine this with other Thunder Bay downtown grants, up to $25,000 in total per property. Ask the city whether provincial or federal programs can also be used for the same project.
Related programs
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Up to $45,000
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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.
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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.