Façade Grant Program - Round 5

Façade Improvement Grant  **Application period  now closed**

Application period was: October 5, 2022 and closes on October 28, 2022. 

**Please download Facade Grant Program Guidelines & Application at bottom of page.**

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Round 5: American Rescue Plan funding for West Linn Small Businesses

Program Overview:

The City of West Linn is offering a fifth round of Small Business Grants utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to assist West Linn brick and mortar businesses and commercial property owners improve the façades of their commercial buildings. The objective of the grant is to improve the appearance of buildings, enhance walkability and marketability – and to improve the community’s overall economic vitality.

This program will offer 50:50 matching grants up to $10,000 for improvements. Your project can exceed $20,000 but the City will not pay more than 50% of $20,000 in costs, equaling a maximum grant award of $10,000. The City is also offering an opportunity for business owners to apply for an additional $2,000 dollars in design assistance for projects requiring construction drawings/architectural renderings. Formal drawings are not required to apply.

Background:

The first two rounds of direct to small business owners, provided in 2020, were paid for jointly by the State of Oregon and the City of West Linn. The third round of funding, provided in 2021, used Federal pass-through dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). In 2022, West Linn City Council allocated $225,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to support West Linn businesses in need of financial assistance and assist with ongoing pandemic recovery. The City distributed 55 direct to small business grants, totaling $100,000 of funds, in our round four grant program in June 2022. The City will distribute a sixth round of grants for small businesses later this year.

The City intends to continue working with the West Linn business community, with help from the City’s Economic Development Committee, the West Linn Chamber of Commerce, Historic Willamette Main Street, and other groups to understand business needs and provide any assistance that we can.

Eligibility Requirements:

The following businesses/properties are eligible to apply:

1. Business/commercial property is located in a commercial zoning district within the City of West Linn:
   1. General Commercial (GC)
   2. Mixed Use (MU)
   3. Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
2. Business is visible from public right of way/street.
3. Business has current West Linn Business License. 
4. Business is not home-based. 
5. Property owner is current on property taxes.
6. If property owner is applying and their building houses multiple addresses/businesses on one tax lot, please use one application.

The following projects are eligible to apply for a West Linn Façade Grant:

1. Exterior painting; Exterior siding repair or replacement
2. Exterior lighting
3. Accessibility improvements
4. Repair, removal, or installation of canopies or awnings (except those with business names on them)
5. Masonry, brick, stucco, wood cleaning or repair
6. Work on cornices, gutters and downspouts
7. Sign repair, replacement or installation (eligible only as part of a larger façade improvement project)

The following projects are ineligible for a West Linn Façade Grant:           

• Refinancing of existing debt; Interior improvements; Landscaping; Sidewalk Improvements; Non-permanent fixtures; Security systems; Installation of bike racks or fences; Billboards; Previously completed design or construction work; Individual business signage

What do you need to apply?

• Detailed description of your proposed project, describing each element of the project and materials to be used.
• Rough estimate of your proposed costs for the project.
• Photograph(s) of existing façade/building exterior.
• Sketch of proposed project – do not need formal architectural drawings. Give as much detail as possible.
• West Linn Business License #

The following factors will be considered when reviewing applications:

1. The potential to improve appearance/aesthetic of exterior facades in a commercial zoning district.
2. The potential to revitalize storefronts clearly visible from the street/public right of way.
3. The potential to improve walkability and overall economic vitality of the surrounding commercial district.
4. The potential to revitalize older or vacant buildings.
5. The potential to support as many different properties and businesses.

Questions about the Facade Grant Program? 

Please email Alena | Business Support staff: aschnarr@westlinnoregon.gov