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

 Economic Development Façade Grant Application

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

Program Requirements

  • 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.
  • A minimum of one community representative must take part in a Hamilton County led "Façade Program: How It Works" virtual meeting or phone call – dates to be announced.
  • All funds received through the Façade Grant must be used for eligible purposes and for eligible buildings, listed above.
  • Grant reports are due to Hamilton County 30 days after facade project is completed.

Application Process and Tentative Timeline

Program Timeline – Subject to Change*
  • Release of 2024 Application: August 1st
  • Applications Due / Grant Closes: September 16th
  • Funding Recommendations: October 2024

*If awarded grant funding, additional information will be shared

Scoring Criteria

Project Impact
  • Demonstrates a well-thought-out vision for the community’s façade improvements.
  • Level of impact proposed improvements will have on the small business district and surrounding community.
  • Projects which contribute to a larger, comprehensive redevelopment of a building and/or surrounding structures.
Project Need
  • Projects located in an economically distressed community.
  • Projects that have constrained budgets due to extreme factors.
  • Projects that support low- and moderate-income populations.
  • Other factors that demonstrate community and/or project need.
Project Support and Capacity
  • Demonstrated investment and interest from small businesses.
  • Evidence of community capacity to successfully execute façade program.
  • Demonstration of active community partnerships, funding partners, and ability to maximize the use of grant funding.
  • Demonstrates ability to initiate the program timely and efficiently.
  • Applicants' history with successfully implementing and administering County grants.
Application Quality
  • Application is complete, and easy to follow.
  • Inclusion of additional materials to allow for full understanding of project.
  • Applicant demonstrates its awareness of what it will take to manage and complete the Project.

Additional Considerations

  • Grant requests can be up to $50,000
  • Applicants should provide documentation for all external funding commitments mentioned within the application.
  • Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis.
  • Awardees will need to submit various reporting materials to Hamilton County including a final report providing details on project implementation.
  • Hamilton County reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of the grant funding annually if there are not enough high-quality applications.