The City of Pittsburg announced it will open up applications for its Facade Improvement Grants.

The City recognizes the importance of investing in its local businesses to help them thrive. These businesses are the heart and soul of the Pittsburg community and are incubators of opportunity and creativity. Businesses with storefronts greatly benefit from investment on those parts of the building that are most visible to the public and face publicly accessible areas such as streets and sidewalks. Investments in these façades provide a number of benefits that include more inviting storefronts, improvements to neighborhood characteristics, reinvestment into older buildings, and more potential foot traffic.

The City’s Façade Improvement Grant Program aims to spur that investment opportunity by offering up to $10,000 for facade improvements to qualified businesses all across the community.

The following links will take you to the program guidelines and to a fillable pdf application form for the program. Please read the guidelines thoroughly prior to submitting an application. Applications are only accepted through email to [email protected].

If you have any questions about the program, you may contact Economic Development Manager Robert Carrera at [email protected] or by calling 925-252-4279.

Note:

The City of Pitsburg is providing small businesses with the opportunity to apply for grants up to $10,000 for façade improvements. The City will be awarding grants each worth up to $10,000 to reimburse expenditures per applicant, from a budget of $30,000. Any additional work above the $10,000 threshold is the responsibility of the applicant program Components

The purpose of these funds is specifically for the enhancement and beautification of public-facing building façades that will improve the image and characteristics of the building, the business, and the City and will create an inviting experience that will mutually benefit the business, its customers, and the Pittsburg community. These funds can be used for the following:

• Signage
• Awnings
• Exterior paint (including anti-graffiti exterior paint and coatings)
• Architectural treatments
• Stucco, cladding, and/or siding repair
• Windows
• Front Entrance Doors
• Exterior lighting which provides or highlights architectural features
• Planter boxes
• Bicycle Racks
• Other enhancements determined by the City in its sole discretion to enhance the aesthetic value of the building

Ineligible uses for this grant include:

• Property acquisition
• Building additions
• Performing general or deferred maintenance on buildings or properties
• Upgrading mechanical, plumbing, or electrical equipment, or roof repairs
• Parking area paving, resurfacing, repair, or striping
• Chain link fencing with or without slats
• Working capital
• Advertising beyond exterior signage
• Training
• Start-up costs
• Cash for operating expenses
• Work in progress or performed prior to project’s approval

Documents:

Note – The program will begin accepting applications on February 1, 2024 and will continue through June 30, 2024, or until funds allocated to the program are depleted, whichever comes first. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and completed applications are placed in a queue for review and approval. Incomplete applications will not be placed in the queue until completed.