Business Improvement Grants

The City of Bethany, in partnership with Bethany Economic Development Authority is pleased to announce Bethany BIG, a Business Improvement Grant program which is designed to assist Bethany business owners with cosmetic updates to businesses and public spaces through the following programs: 

Facade Improvements
Façade grants will be available to improve the exterior of a business and help assist the business or property owner.  Façade is defined as the front exterior of a building and other exterior side when they are emphasized. The City of Bethany may match up to 50% of the cost of the project not to exceed $10,000.
These grants are not available for building maintenance, such as brick repair, brick repointing, window repair, roofs, flashing, etc. Building maintenance is the responsibility of property owners. 
Examples of possible projects:  Painting; replace a deteriorated awning or canopy; update a canopy or awning; replace or cover front exterior façade with materials such as brick, stone, or stucco.

How it works:  A property owner or tenant with property owner’s permission would apply for review to the Director of Community Development.  If approved, the applicant needs to go through the appropriate permit procedures and make the approved improvements to the building.  After the improvements are completed and shown to match the original approved improvements, and proof of payment is provided, the property owner is reimbursed for the appropriate amount.

Also needed Prior to approval: Pictures of buildings, sketch of proposed changes, color, fabric, or materials examples, etc.

Sign Improvements
What it is: Grants will be awarded for 50% of the cost of a new sign for the outside of a building not to exceed $5,000 per building.  Grant includes funding for the additional signage on an awning but will not fund signs to be placed on sidewalks.

Examples: Replace back-lit neon signs, banners, or lettered windows, new neon signs, attached signs

How it works: A property owner or tenant with property owner’s permission would apply for review to the Director of Community Development.  If approved, the applicant needs to go through the appropriate permit procedures and make the approved improvements to the building.  After the improvements are completed and shown to match the original approved improvements, and proof of payment is provided, the property owner is reimbursed for the appropriate amount.

Also needed prior to approval: Fabric, material, and color samples. Sketch of work describing sign dimensions and placement on building

Route 66 Neon Signs
What it is: Grants will be awarded for 50% of the cost of new neon or neon like signs or rehab of existing neon signs in the Route 66 Corridor (please see map). Grant not to exceed $7,500 per neon sign.

How it works: A property owner or tenant with property owner’s permission would apply for review to the Director of Community Development.  The property and business owner must ensure the sign will be in place a minimum of two years. Sign design must be presented to the City Manager’s Office for approval. The neon sign is to be installed within the Route 66 Corridor. Signs must have a three-year extended warranty included in the cost.

If approved, the applicant needs to go through the appropriate permitting process.  After the sign is installed and shown to match the original approved sign, and proof of payment is provided, the property owner is reimbursed for the appropriate amount.

• Replacing incandescent with LED bulbs for energy conservation
• Agreed to be used for marketing and advertising and promoting Bethany and revitalization effort
• Illumination grants

Landscape Improvements
What it is: Grants will be awarded for 50% of the cost of landscaping around free standing signage and curb lines. Grant not to exceed $2,000.

How it works: A property owner or tenant with property owner’s permission would submit an application and landscape design for review to the Director of Community Development. It is required that the design is submitted by a professional landscaper. If approved, the applicant will then make the approved improvements to the building or property. After the improvements are completed and proof of payment is shown, the property owner will be reimbursed after 12 months of the project completion to ensure proper maintenance of the landscaping. If the landscaping is not maintained or has died during the 12 months the grant funding will not be approved.

Also needed with application is a landscape design from a professional landscaper, including the types of vegetation/plants to be used, hardscape design and material list. A maintenance plan demonstrating the sustainability of the landscaping is required. Grants for landscaping will not be approved if a maintenance plan is not submitted. All plans will be reviewed by the City of Bethany arborist.

Parking Lot Improvements
Grants will be awarded for up to 50% of the cost of re-surfacing a parking lot or putting in a parking lot that is visible from a major street. Only parking lots using asphalt or concrete will be eligible for grant money.

What it is: Grants will be awarded for 50% of the cost of re-surfacing a parking lot, not to exceed $5,000.

How it works: A property owner or tenant with property owner’s permission would apply for review to the Director of Community Development.  If approved, the applicant will then make the approved improvements to the parking lot. After the improvements are completed and proof of payment is shown, the property owner is reimbursed for the appropriate amount only if the approved materials are used.