With the start of the City’s new fiscal year, the Segun Main Street Program has released its FIX-IT Façade grant application for fiscal year 2022. The façade grant program has been a successful tool assisting downtown businesses and property owners with the rehabilitation of downtown storefronts.
“The Seguin Main Street Program has been offering the FIX-IT Façade grants since 1998,” said Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street & CVB Director/HPO, “The grant has a wide variety of uses. It has been used to remove slip covers off facades to expose historic features hidden for decades to painting of trim and doors.”
The reimbursement grant is a 50% match, meaning the applicant can receive up to 50%, or up to $10,000, of the project cost back once the project is completed. Several factors will determine the amount of funding applicants receive including the visibility of the project, cosmetic versus structural, number of applicants, past performance with grant funding, and more.
The grant can be used to assist with a variety of exterior improvements including ADA access, painting, signage, roofs, storefront rehabs, restoration of historic elements, and more.
“Part of what has made the façade grant successful is its flexibility, allowing the applicant to easily find a project that will improve their building and in turn improve downtown,” said Kramm.
FIX-IT Façade applications are due by January 12, 2022 and require a pre-submittal meeting with the Seguin Main Street Director. The application must include a bid from a contractor, W9, and if tenant is leasing the space, permission from the property owner. For more information on the façade grants, contact Seguin Main Street at (830) 401-2448.
For every dollar the City has invested in the façade grant program, the private sector has matched with $4.00, making a healthy return on investment for the City of Seguin. The façade program encourages those small, incremental changes that will continue downtown Seguin’s revitalization.
The façade grant is just one incentive offered to downtown properties. Additional incentives include the Protect-It Grant for assistance with fire suppression systems, building permit fee waivers, free design assistance, tax credits, and more.
“Now is a great time to invest in downtown Seguin,” said Kramm, “We have a lot of momentum and we are seeing lots of interest and activity from new businesses and investors.”