City Announces New Round of Funding for the Façade Improvement Program
MAYOR GREBIEN
PAWTUCKET – Mayor Donald R. Grebien announced a new round of funding available from the City of Pawtucket’s Façade Improvement Program to assist local businesses with improvements to create a more welcoming and vibrant streetscape.
“This program is a part of the City’s economic development toolbox for our small businesses to help them grow and succeed as they reinvest in our community. Façade and signage improvements are key to increasing foot traffic to businesses,” says Mayor Grebien.
“Pawtucket’s façade grant program is just a small resource we can use to support local businesses and attract more customers while creating a more welcoming and vibrant neighborhood,” says Bianca Policastro, Pawtucket’s Planning and Redevelopment Director. “Pawtucket also assists business owners through its streamlined permitting process, development incentives, and business counseling.”
The program offers small grants and grant-loan combinations. For small grants, applicants may request up to $2,000 for materials for small improvements. For more comprehensive projects the City will offer a loan for half of the total project amount up to $30,000 per project. The loan would be structured to be paid back in 5 years.
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
Replacement or installation of new awnings, doors, landscape, lighting, paving, siding, or windows
Decorative material
Code-compliance
Public-facing street or sidewalk improvements, such as bicycle hitches, interactive elements, interpretive signage, planters, seating, or lighting.
City officials are reminding local business owners that applications for small grants and grant-loan combinations as part of the Façade Improvement Program are due by this Friday, June 30th.
Learn more and apply at www.pawtucketri.com/planning-redevelopment. The first round of decisions will be announced in July.