FACADE GRANT

Façade Grant Program

FACADE GRANT INFORMATION & APPLICATION

2024 Application Deadlines: Second Monday of the Month*

January 8, 2024

February 12, 2024

March 11, 2024

April 8, 2024

May 13, 2024

June 10, 2024

July 8, 2024

August 12, 2024

September 9, 2024

October 14, 2024

November 11, 2024

December 9, 2024


*Subject to funding availability

The Downtown Wooster Commercial Façade Renovation Program is designed to operate in conjunction with a private business enterprise that uses its own assets to renovate a commercial façade within the Central Business District. The City of Wooster has allocated $25,000 towards Façade Grants, and has partnered with Main Street Wooster to provide funding and management of the Program.


Through the Program, Main Street Wooster reimburses the business enterprise for up to 30% of the cost of the façade renovation. The maximum amount of the grant shall not exceed $5,000 unless approved by the City of Wooster Director of Administration based on a finding that the project will have a significant impact on the downtown area. 


Grants will be made only for commercial or mixed-use properties located within the Central Business District (Map Here).

Projects that have commenced construction activities will not be eligible for the grant program.


Upon acceptance of the grant reimbursement, the completed façade improvements must be maintained for five years. If improvements are not maintained, then the grant funding must be returned to Main Street Wooster upon demand. 


Qualified applicants will be allocated grant funds on a first come, first serve basis. If there are not sufficient funds to provide grants to all the qualified applicants, the top applicant(s) will be selected using the following criteria:


  • Improvements are highly visible to customers, neighboring merchants, and residents
  • Improvements are likely to increase business activity
  • Proposed work improves and enhances the visual quality of downtown buildings
  • Furthers the objectives of the City of Wooster’s Downtown Master Plan
  • Enables historical or architecturally significant buildings to be preserved
  • Provides for the creation or expansion of retailing and other commercial opportunities
  • Location within 5 blocks of Public Square
    The closer to the Liberty St & Market St intersection, the better.
  • Location facing Liberty Street or Market Street
  • Grant request is less than 30% of façade project cost
    e.g., if a window replacement project costs $30,000, a $5,000 grant request is less than 30% of the façade project cost
  • Building owner is a resident of Wayne County
  • Building owner also owns the occupying business
  • Improvements address the front façade

If you are a Main Street Wooster Partner in good standing, additional grant funding may be available for licensed architect fees. This grant is unrelated to the Downtown Wooster Commercial Façade Renovation Program.

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