The City of Urbana is pleased to announce Commercial Signage Grant Program to provide matching grant funds to businesses to enhance their store fronts with the addition or improvement of commercial signage.
Donor Name: City of Urbana
State: Illinois
City: Urbana
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): Ongoing
Details:
Established using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to provide matching grants to business and commercial property owners who wish to renovate, enhance, and improve highly visible buildings along commercial corridors within the TIF Districts and Philo Road Business District. The primary objective of the Commercial Signage Grant Program is to promote and assist in supporting the City’s businesses by providing grants for replacing and/or adding new signage to commercial storefronts that contribute to the vitality of the area.
The Commercial Signage Grant can be used toward the design, purchase, and installation of a commercial sign. Funds may also be used towards the purchase and installation of awnings, when awnings include a logo and/or business name. Properties eligible for this program must be located in a TIF District or the Philo Road Business District.
Eligibility Criteria
Work that does not comply with the eligibility requirements is subject to reduction or retraction of award.
- Only work begun after approval by the Commercial Signage Grant Program Administrator will be eligible for a grant.
- All work must be done on the exterior of the building and result in a publicly visible improvement.
- Work on the rear or roof of the building is not eligible for a signage grant.
- All work must be done on a street fronting side of an existing building.
- If the entrance of business is not street fronting, the business can still apply.
- Shared space businesses must have a separate exterior entrance.
- Grant funds cannot be used to correct outstanding code violations, for property damaged by collision, acts of nature or occurrences covered by insurance.
- All work must comply with the Commercial Signage Grant Program’s design guidelines and receive approval of a Sign Permit. Sign Permits can be applied for online, and must comply with the Zoning Ordinance.
- Project cost must exceed $500 to be considered for a signage grant.
- Live/work studios must be within a building classified as commercial or mixed-use. Staff will conduct
a site visit prior to approval.
For more information, visit City of Urbana.