Façade Improvement Grant

New for 2019 – get up to $15,000  for 50% of the cost of renovating your business facade & for adding AODA Approved accessibility features! The Facade Improvement Program provides up to $15,000 for 50% of the total cost of storefront renovations & beautification. The base grant provides up to $12,500 for the purposes of completing storefront facade upgrades and beautification. For example, a business could get new signage, upgrade the windows and entranceway, install building-front lighting, and restore the heritage brickwork.  New this year, businesses can get an additional add-on to the grant of $2,500 for accessibility upgrades to help make your business entranceway meets AODA Standards. For example, the storefront entranceway could be widened, a permanent ramp could be added, and an automatic door opener could be installed. The Facade Improvement Program is a great opportunity for property owners & business owners located in the BIA area, as it allows you to improve your property frontage at a fraction of the cost, and helps businesses put their best foot forward in attracting customers! We expect that funding for this program will be renewed by City-Council in mid-February of 2019. The eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, brick cleaning, restoration, wheelchair accessibility, doors, signage, windows, lighting and masonry. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Improving the appearance of your building’s façade shows that you care about your property. In addition, your neighborhood streetscape is improved. This provides a more welcoming environment to work, shop and live. HOW TO APPLY? Funding for this program is given out on a first-come-first basis. Applicants must select 3+ facade improvements that they wish to implement by year-end, as well as any accessibility features that they wish to include in order to get the  $2,500 accessibility top-up. Two quotes for each renovation must be provided to the city, which they will use to assess the value of the renovations. Grant funding will be assessed based off of the lowest of the two quotes. The Following are examples of improvements that the Facade Improvement Program will cover: The program does not cover the following improvements: WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• You must be the property owner or have the permission of the property owner
• Your building must be located in a Business Improvement Area (BIA) that has been in existence for five (5) or more years
• You must not owe outstanding taxes to the City
• You must not start your improvement project before the funding application is approved
• You must have not received the maximum façade improvement funding for your property in previous years.

Applying for the Facade Improvement Program is very simple:

1. Collect two quotes for each of the three or more pieces of facade work that you wish to complete through the program.
2. Complete and submit the application form as indicated in the application form.
3. If approved for funding, you will go into an agreement with The City of Toronto – Economic Development & Culture Division.
4. Once the facade improvements are completed and accounted for, the city will provide the grant funding to the successful applicant.

The program is first-come-first-serve starting at the beginning of each calendar year when The City sets its budget. While there is a due date for the program, it is highly recommended that members submit their paperwork as soon as possible, as funding is often 100% allocated by mid-April. STEP 1 TO 5