Bloomington City officials have launched a new incentive for local businesses looking to freshen up their storefronts without breaking the bank. The Site and Façade Improvement Program, a grant initiative announced by the city of Bloomington, offers businesses the chance to revamp their exteriors with financial backup.
The city is putting its money where its mouth is, covering half the project costs for eligible improvements to public-facing commercial areas. Qualifying businesses can receive up to 50 percent of their project expenses, starting at a minimum grant of $5,000 and capping at $24,999 per property, according to details posted by Bloomington's official website. The grant could support projects ranging from a modest $10,000 to the more grandiose $50,000, or even higher.
It’s an open invitation to enhance curb appeal and customer access with a variety of upgrades listed as eligible. From the essential—fixing windows, doors, and accessibility features—to the aesthetic—installing eye-catching signage or murals. The program encompasses a broad sweep of potential improvements, from sidewalk enhancements to masonry repairs, explicitly aiming to bring vibrancy and compliance to the city's streetscapes.
Bloomington's authorities seem to understand that looks matter in business. The program prioritizes visual appeal and functional upgrades like ADA accessibility, providing a leg-up for local businesses aiming for inclusivity, "Eligible improvements include repairing or replacing windows, doors, canopies, parapets and steps; removing exterior finishes or materials that cover architectural details; sidewalk and pedestrian improvements; mounted signage; murals, landscaping and masonry repairs; ADA accessibility to building from outside; and more," states the city's announcement.
Prospective applicants looking to leverage this grant opportunity can find complete details on eligibility and the application process by visiting the Bloomington city website. The online application, alongside a list of eligible improvements, lays down the pathway for business owners to initiate their storefront's transformation. With the city's backing, businesses have a new opportunity to make cosmetic and functional changes that could translate into tangible benefits for their brand and the community's aesthetic.
