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Perpendicular Signage Grant

Perpendicular signs increase awareness and visibility of a business and its offerings. The sign is attached to the front of the building and mounted so the face of the sign is perpendicular to the normal flow of street and foot traffic, which creates pedestrian-friendly downtowns.

Applications for this grant are now closed. If you didn't get an application in this year, book a time to chat about potential future opportunities!


Perpendicular Signage Grant
Spruce the Bruce Business Grants

The Perpendicular Signage grant provides funding for business and property owners to install a new perpendicular (blade / projecting) sign on the exterior of the downtown commercial building.

Perpendicular Signage Grant

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the grant:

The applicant must be the tenant or the property owner. A letter of support from the property owner is required if the applicant is the tenant.

The building must be commercial or mixed-use (commercial-residential) and be located within one of the following downtown Community Improvement Plan Areas (CIPA): Allenford, Chesley, Hepworth, Kincardine, Lion's Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Tara, Teeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton or Wiarton.

The Perpendicular Sign must be attached to the front of the building and mounted so the face of the sign is perpendicular to the normal flow of street and foot traffic.

The project must comply with Municipal bylaws and have received appropriate permits and permissions.

The project should attempt to include elements from the applicable Community Toolkit whenever possible.

Project work must not have started (including purchasing any materials) until the application has been approved.

Properties previously awarded grants are not eligible for additional funding under the same grant category unless:

  • The grant was provided more than five years ago; or
  • Either the tenant and/or property owner changed since the last grant was provided; or
  • The application is clearly for different physical elements of the building/property (as determined by County Staff)

Max Funding: 

50% of total project cost (excluding taxes) up to $750.

Eligible Projects 

Eligible projects may include:

  • Perpendicular / blade / projecting sign

Ineligible Projects

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Backlit signage
  • Neon signage
  • Coroplast signage
  • Vinyl banner signage
  • Freestanding signage

Branding and Design Elements 

Gain inspiration and guidance for the project by reviewing design elements (colour palettes, materials and physical elements, and façade and signage examples) from the applicable Community Toolkit: Allenford, ChesleyHepworth, Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Lucknow, Mildmay, Paisley, Port Elgin, Ripley, Sauble Beach, Southampton, TaraTeeswater, Tobermory, Walkerton or Wiarton.

Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Areas

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that allows a municipality to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward a specifically defined project area and are intended to encourage rehabilitation initiatives and/or stimulate development.

Find the eligible Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA) for this grant: AllenfordChesleyHepworthKincardineLion's HeadLucknowMildmayPaisleyPort ElginRipleySauble BeachSouthamptonTaraTeeswaterTobermoryWalkerton and Wiarton.

Have questions or require more information?