Blade Sign / Facade Appeal Comprehensive Enhancement (FACE) Program
What is the Facade Appeal Comprehensive Enhancement (FACE) Grant Program
The Facade Appeal Comprehensive Enhancement (FACE) Grant Program aims at enhancing the frontal physical appearance of commercial properties. FACE provides generous cash incentives to property owners/businesses to improve the facade of commercial properties.
Program Details
The FACE Program encourages commercial property owners/businesses to invest in eligible storefront enhancements, landscaping and improved accessibility.
Cash incentives will be provided to applicant property owners/businesses immediately on certification of completed work. Maximum financial incentive will be $10,000 for one property (with a clear civic address).
Applications will be received throughout the year until all funds are committed. Projects must be completed before 31 December 2023.
What are the benefits?
A renovated facade or landscaping improves the appearance of a business and a neighborhood. Attractive facades contribute to an inviting environment that draws more people and will appeal to potential customers– resulting in more sales and profits of the business.
How is the Incentive calculated?
Maximum amount of cash incentive is $10,000. HST portion of the investment is not considered.
Incentive will be 90% of the first $10,000 and 75% of the remaining amount of investment. Total investment may not exceed $30,000.
Businesses in the Downtown are also eligible for funding for buying and installing Blade Signs. The Blade Sign program, a component of the FACE program, is being finalized and will be announced soon.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be commercial property owners/businesses of a building with storefronts clearly visible from a major street within the City of Corner Brook. In order for an application to be considered, all City taxes on the subject properties and the businesses housed in the properties must be current without any outstanding or unresolved disputes. When an applicant is approved for FACE assistance, it can request for a refund of the proportionate amount of building permit fee paid.
Building Permits
A Building Permit/Development Application form and its related processes will be required. For more information on the Building Permit/Development Application process, please click here.
Eligible Activities
Installation or enhancement of one or more of the following.
- Exterior painting, Replacement of wood siding or installation of vinyl siding that looks like wood; installation of metal siding
- Replacement of doors or windows on any level of the front façade of the building
- Replacement or repair of cornice, parapets and other architectural features
- Brick cleaning treatments such as power washing
- Re-pointing of brick masonry
- Installation or replacement of awnings or canopies
- Installation and improvement of signage
- Installation or upgrading of exterior lighting features
- Re-design of storefront
- Installation of wheelchair ramps
- Landscaping as per City of Corner Brook’s Landscaping Standards
- Any other improvement as approved by the City
Facade Design Guidelines
The primary goals of the City of Corner Brook FACE Program is to achieve significant visual improvements in the property and/or to enhance accessibility leading to increased customer visits and potentially higher sales.
Deadline
Applications will be received throughout the year until all funds are committed. Projects must be completed before December 31, 2023.
How do I apply?
Please review the program guidelines and submit the application form with details/documents.
BLADE SIGN Program
The City of Corner Brook provides funding for installation of Blade Signs exclusively for businesses located in the Downtown Corner Brook. The funding covers 100% of the cost (including HST) of purchasing installing Blade Sign (up to a maximum limit). Details of this program and the application form are available through the following links.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the: FACE@cornerbrook.com (email)
**The City of Corner Brook reserves the sole right to amend, modify, add, or delete any part or sub-part of this program. Meeting the eligibility conditions would not automatically qualify an applicant to receive the FACE cash assistance. Decision of the City is final and binding on all applicants.
