Funding in place; Applications now open for next round of Business Facade program in Prince Rupert

The 2020 intake for a popular business initiative in the city is now open,  as the City of Prince Rupert begins to accept applications towards grants to improve the façades of businesses in the community.

The program offers  a 50% reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 per building to improve the façades of existing businesses.

The funding comes from a program hosted by Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Joel McKay, CEO of NDIT observed how the program has served to assist communities to remain vibrant and viable.

“Business Façade is one of Northern Development’s flagship programs and we see the benefits of it year after year. Vibrant and viable communities are key when it comes to recruiting residents and businesses, and this program supports local governments and business owners in this endeavour.”

The guiding themes of the program for the City of Prince Rupert  include:

Making Prince Rupert a more inviting and interesting place to eat, shop, walk and play. 

Promoting the marketability of retail and commercial businesses 

 Helping building owners to attract and retain tenants 

Improving the quality of life residents, workers and visitors to Prince Rupert enjoy. 

Building civic pride among the business community and the citizens.

The applications are being accepted by the City's Economic Development Office, Paul Venditelli, the Manager of Economic Development and Transportation for the City took note of the focus for this years program roll out.

“Downtown revitalization is a key focus for the Economic Development Office and we are proud to offer this program again this year with the support of Northern Development Initiative Trust,”

In 2019, the program awarded funding to City Furniture, Spero's and the Gitga'at Development Office in downtown Prince Rupert.

Improvements that are eligible for funding include exterior lighting, window/siding replacement, façade painting, accessibility improvements, signage, awnings, and more.

To be eligible for this one-time funding opportunity, participants must be located within the Downtown and Cow Bay Development Permit Areas of the City.

Projects must have a minimum total cost of $4,000 in order to qualify and a maximum of $200,000.

The program will be accepting applications until May 31st, reviewing each on a first come, first served basis.

Today's information statement can be reviewed here, while the details to the grant program can be explored here.

The Guideline booklet for the Facade program is available here.

For more items of note on the City's commercial sector see our archive page here.

A wider overview of City Council initiatives can be found from our Council Discussion Archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.