Business owners in Esquimalt have three more weeks to apply for a grant to defray the cost of gussying up their buildings.
The township’s Business Façade Improvement Program, now in its second year, will accept applications until Oct. 30.
The program, administered by the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce, provides money and design help for business owners wanting to improve the character and physical appearance of their buildings.
Holly Courtright, president of the Esquimalt Chamber, said the program is starting to get a foothold and more awareness in the community.
“And it really does help to improve the curb appeal of Esquimalt as a whole, so as we improve upon the façades, it definitely will add to the beautification of Esquimalt, like a lot of the new developments are doing along Esquimalt Road,” she said.
As an incentive to draw in applicants, the chamber is offering a free year of membership to successful applicants who are not chamber members.
She said they have tried to make the application process as simple as possible to make it easy for business owners who are swamped to be able to take advantage of it.
“It’s an interesting conundrum in that the businesses that can benefit from it the most are also the ones that are so busy,” she said, noting they can often miss out on these kinds of programs as they just don’t have the time.
The program launched last year with about $15,000 spent on two projects.
This year the budget has been set at $86,000 and so far two projects have been completed, with other applications still being considered.
The two projects already done are a mural by artist Caitlin McDonagh at the township’s splashpad on Fraser Street and new signs and decals for the recently expanded Errant Herbal Empire at 1316 Esquimalt Rd.
The program, which council approved in December 2023, offers grants to help cover labour and material costs to make significant improvements to the appearance of storefronts and other buildings in Esquimalt.
Terese Finegan, Esquimalt’s manager of economic development, said the grant is intended for façade improvements on main roads and for corner buildings on intersecting streets.
Eligible improvements include permanent features such as signs, awnings, lighting, windows and exterior surfaces.
The grant offers a 50 per cent reimbursement up to $5,000 for a building with a single face, and $10,000 per building on a corner with two facades.
Commercial property owners or business owners can apply for the grants, though property owners must approve applications from their tenants.
There are some things the grants won’t pay for, such as routine maintenance, the construction of additions, or new buildings and roofs.
To apply go to https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/economic-development/business-facade-improvement-program
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