2024 Economic Development Façade Grant Program

Program Summary

Hamilton County recognizes the positive impact individual façade improvements can have on community business districts. Facade programs encourages property owners to undertake improvements to their commercial storefronts. Businesses with storefronts greatly benefit from investing into the improvement of their buildings, especially improvements which are visible to the public and are public facing.

The result of these investments are multiple positive benefits to the small business and their local community, including: increasing consumer foot traffic and sales, boosting business attraction, improving energy efficiency, increasing accessibility, and fostering community pride. Hamilton County’s goal is for this program to be an impactful economic tool for your community’s business district.

How it Works

Note, this funding opportunity is a pass-through grant. Applications must be submitted from cities, villages, and/or townships outside of the City of Cincinnati, but within Hamilton County. If awarded funding, individual façade programs are to be created and led by grantees. Hamilton County will provide eligibility requirements and best practices for rolling-out a façade grant program, however the city/village/township administration will be the leader and decision-maker for their façade program.

Grant funds will be made on a reimbursement basis. If awarded, a community will roll-out a façade grant program in their business district. Once projects are awarded to property owners, and work has begun, the grantee will invoice the County for grant funds and provide documentation of expenses, including invoices and proof of payment. Once the façade project is completed, the grantee will submit a completion report and photos within 30 days of the project completion date. All façade projects must be complete, with necessary permits received, final inspections complete, and all documents required for reimbursement submitted within 18 months of the grant award.

 Launch on Thursday, August 1st, 2024

 Close on Monday, September 16th, 2024 at 5:00 pm

Application Period is Now Closed

Eligible Applicants

• Cities, villages, and townships within Hamilton County (yet outside of the City of Cincinnati)
• If awarded funding, façade programs are to be led by cities, villages, or townships within Hamilton County.
• Applicants must be in good standing with all past and current Hamilton County grants.

Eligible Buildings for Funding

• All awarded grant funds must be used for façade improvements which are visible to the public.
• Eligible buildings must be located within Hamilton County, Ohio.
• Eligible buildings must be a commercial building or contain a first-floor commercial space, meaning it has retail or office use AND is located within an eligible business district.

Ineligible Buildings for Funding

• Exclusively single-family residential, multi-family residential, or storage use.
• Buildings which contain the following businesses: Payday loan businesses, pawn shops, firearm or other weapons dealers, adult entertainment, franchise and chain businesses, self-storage.

Eligible Façade Improvements

• Architectural, design, and related professional fees
• Attached exterior lighting
• Awnings, canopies, and any shade mechanisms affixed to the building
• Doors and windows
• Exterior painting (including murals)
• Gutters and down spouts
• Improvements made towards ADA compliance
• Labor, materials, and fixtures
• Rehabilitation of exterior facades to recover and/or preserve significant historical and architectural features
• Removal of barriers to access for people with disabilities
• Roofing blight improvements
• Siding and trim treatments
• Signs that are integrated into the architecture of the building
• Storefront windows

Ineligible Façade Improvements

• Any temporary improvements made to the building
• Equipment and furnishings
• Expansion of the building area
• Fencing (except for those on a permanent patio or deck)
• Interior equipment and furnishings
• Interior modifications
• Landscaping
• Parking lots and/or paving
• Property acquisition
• Public sidewalks
• Signage not affixed to the building