Niagara County’s Façade Program 2.0 was kicked off Friday by the county Center for Economic Development. The program offers matching grants up to $50,000 for qualified businesses to make exterior capital improvements on their properties.
The original Façade program, launched in 2022 and funded from the county’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funding (federal Covid recovery aid), went over well with businesses that participated, according to county legislator Chris McKimmie, a member of the legislature’s economic development committee.
“As a new legislator, I have heard mainly two things from businesses in my community about the original façade program. The first was from those who took part in the program and raved about how beneficial it was to helping them invest in their business. The second was from those who, for whatever reason, failed to take part and lamented the missed opportunity,” McKimmie said.
According to county Economic Development Commissioner Mike Casale, Façade 2.0 is looking for projects that, among other things, can jump start improvements of traditional downtowns, support the expansion of small businesses, address issues of code enforcement, energy efficiency and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and preserve significant or historic buildings.
“The original program helped 200 businesses and unlocked more than $10 million in total investment,” Casale said. “You can see firsthand many of the completed projects as you drive across the county. The program worked just as intended and we are hoping history will repeat itself with Façade 2.0.”
Eligible applicants for Façade 2.0 include:
— For-profit businesses that have been in business since or before January 2020.
— Not-for profit organizations that have been operating since or before January 2020.
— Rental property owners who purchased property before January 2020.
— Lessees of space within a building that’s a qualified property. Lessees must have occupied the spaced since or before January 2020.
Recipients of Façade 1.0 funding are eligible to seek new funding, but preference will be given to new applicants, according to the Center for Economic Development.
Information and applications for Façade 2.0 can be found at https://www.niagaracountybusiness.com/facade-program-2.0. The deadline for application submission is 4 p.m. March 26.
Due to requirements attached to the federal funding that’s being tapped for the program, matching-grant recipients must be able to complete their projects by Oct. 31, Casale said.