Main Street Matters: Facade Grants

Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Main Street Matters program aims to enhance downtown areas and neighborhoods through façade grants that encourage private investment and support revitalization efforts. Eligible local governments and organizations can apply for funding to improve exterior building aesthetics, ensuring vibrant and secure communities. The program emphasizes matching funds and adherence to design guidelines to maximize impact. With a maximum grant of $100,000, it serves as a flexible tool for community and economic development.

Overview
The Main Street Matters (MSM) program is designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security.
Communities may wish to consider designation through the MSM program as a Main Street or Elm Street. Designation is an opportunity for targeted investment and development including the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and implementation of a strategy to address those needs.
Uses
A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants.
Eligibility
Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities)Redevelopment and/or housing authoritiesNonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc.Community development corporationsBusiness improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities
Activities
Façade grants are available to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds may be used for primary street-facing exterior building improvements in a defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc. Communities requesting façade grant funding will be responsible for the administration of a local façade grant program which meets the general requirements below.
Funding Requirements and Limitations
a. Façade grants may not exceed $100,000, unless the applicant demonstrates:i. an interest in additional funding; andii. a great need and a reasonable plan to expend funds within the anticipated grant contract activity period; and iii. DCED determines that additional funds are warranted.b. A dollar-for-dollar match is required for façade grants. Grant requests from designated Main and Elm Street programs should refer to the MSM Main and Elm Street Match Requirements outlined in Appendix I with the following exceptions:i. Façade improvements for non-residential buildings and rental properties must be matched dollar-for-dollar and are not eligible for a match waiver.ii. Façade improvements for homeowners must be matched dollar-for-dollar for owners with an income above 120% of the median income for the community.c. Applicants must provide documented demand for façade funding to include the names, addresses, and estimated project costs for interested parties in the target area.d. Grant funds for each façade (home or storefront) improvement may not exceed $10,000, unless DCED determines that additional funding is warranted. Façade funding may not be used on outbuildings located on a property, any interior work, or landscaping and general site improvements to sidewalks and paved areas.e. Labor provided by the owner of the property is not an eligible cost for reimbursement or match consideration.f. Applicants must provide, at the time of application, the design guidelines and procedures for the local façade grant program to include, at a minimum:i. Established program boundaries – Consideration should be given to the number of properties that can be assisted within the targeted area.ii. Design standards – Design guidelines and standards should be developed by a local committee and distributed to local property owners to maximize the impact of rehabilitation.Note: Designated Main Street programs seeking national accreditation should follow the US Department of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.”iii. Defined eligible applicants and activities – This should address policies regarding ownership and discuss policies for rented or leased properties. Eligible work activities must be specified.iv. Policies and procedures – A clearly outlined, step-by-step application, contracting, inspection, and payment process should be included. The guidelines should have written policies to rely on if disputes arise. All necessary forms and contract documents should be provided.