Façade Building Improvement Grant

Applications open in February 2026. Do you have what you need to submit a complete application?

Note: applications are not approved until all necessary permits, quotes, and designs are provided and reviewed.

• Confirm your business / property is with an eligible CIPA (see below)
• Confirm your planned project meets the eligible project components (see below)
• Review the applicable community branding guidelines to ensure your project meets the guides (see below)
• Obtain all necessary municipal and / or County permits
• Obtain quotes from contractors for materials and / or labour
• Obtain designs / renderings / inspirations of the project for a visual scope
• Ensure project work can be completed by October 31 of the calendar year

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the grant:

• The applicant must be the tenant or the property owner (tenants must provide a letter of support from the property owner).
• The building must be commercial or mixed-use and be located within a priority downtown Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA) in Bruce County.
• The project must comply with municipal bylaws and have received appropriate permits and permissions.
• The grant application must include a minimum of three eligible major exterior improvement projects.
• One of the major exterior improvement projects can be either fascia signage, perpendicular signage, awning or patio grants.
• Project work must not have started (including purchasing any materials) until the application has been approved.
• Properties previously awarded grants are ineligible for funding under the same grant category unless the grant was provided more than five years ago, either the tenant or property owner changed or the application is for different physical elements of the building/property.

Max Funding: 

50% of total project cost (excluding taxes) up to $4,000.

Eligible Projects 

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Architectural feature improvements or additions (e.g., beams, decorative molding)
• Brick or stone (or other masonry) installation, repointing or restoration
• Exterior lighting / gooseneck lighting
• Painting storefront
• Permanent outdoor planters attached to the facade
• Siding installation
• Take-out window installation
• Windows and doors upgrades

Ineligible Projects

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• New building construction
• Roof repairs
• General maintenance repairs
• Greenery (e.g., plants, flowers, shrubs, etc.)
• Projects that are not visible from the main road

Eligible Communities / Hamlets and Accompanying Branding

Project elements should properly reflect those included in the applicable branding document. The below are the communities eligible for this grant, permitting the property is within that community's priority downtown Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA).

Arran-Elderslie: Chesley Facade Guidelines, Paisley Community Toolkit, Tara Facade Guidelines

Brockton: Walkerton Facade Guidelines

Huron-Kinloss: Lucknow Community Toolkit, Ripley Community Toolkit

Kincardine: Kincardine Community Toolkit, Tiverton Facade Guidelines

Northern Bruce Peninsula: Lion’s Head Community Toolkit, Tobermory Community Toolkit

Saugeen Shores: Port Elgin Community Toolkit, Southampton Community Toolkit

South Bruce: Formosa Facade Guidelines, Mildmay Facade Guidelines, Teeswater Facade Guidelines

South Bruce Peninsula: Allenford Community Toolkit, Hepworth Community Toolkit, Sauble Beach Community Toolkit, Wiarton Community Toolkit