Façade and Signage Improvement Grant (Heart of the City CIP)
Get your storefront looking sharp with up to $10,000 for façade work and $2,000 for signage. This is a cost-share grant, so you pay first and get reimbursed 50% after approval. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026; applications are open.
How we verify funding records →
“Funding is based on 50% of the costs to a maximum of $10,000 for facade work and $2,000 for new signage.”
Before you spend a dollar
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything — starting early is the #1 way owners lose this funding.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You own or operate a business in Cornwall's designated downtown or Le Village area
- You are planning exterior façade or signage improvements
- You can secure council approval before starting any work or buying materials
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside Cornwall's specific CIP or BIA zones
- You have already started or completed the work without prior approval
How much you'd realistically get
Façade: 50% of costs up to $10,000; Signage: 50% of costs up to $2,000
What may be supported
- Building façade improvements
- New signage
- Exterior renovation of commercial buildings
How applying works
Effort: mediumA city application with quotes/photos; approval before you start, then claim after completion.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN designs your new storefront signs and coordinates qualified partners for fabrication, helping you draw more foot traffic with the signage portion of the grant.
- BBN coordinates the exterior renovation trades for your façade upgrades, managing the project so you deal with one team while the city reimburses 50% of the work.
- BBN guides you through application deadlines and scopes eligible façade and signage costs so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything — starting early disqualifies most of these.
- Area-gated to Cornwall's designated CIP/BIA zone — confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year — confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Area-gated and funding-limited, but a straightforward fit if your Cornwall address qualifies and you apply before starting.
What you can combine it with
May combine with provincial/federal programs for the same project — we'll check what stacks.
Related programs
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated June 22, 2026; last verified July 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.