City Unveils Business Improvement Grant

A new matching grant program is available to help businesses and commercial property owners improve and revitalize their facilities.

The City has established the Business Improvement & Growth (BIG) Grant Program to provide technical and financial assistance to property owners or business tenants seeking to renovate or restore exterior façades, signage, lighting and life-safety systems for commercial buildings. The BIG program is designed to impact properties in need of revitalization, resulting in improved exterior visibility and presentation of a property, as well as enhanced occupant safety.

“The BIG grant program presents San Marcos business and commercial property owners with an opportunity to leverage City funds to improve the appearance and function of their properties,” said City Manager Jared Miller “Through a streamlined application, approval and oversight process we hope to stimulate highly visible investments in commercial property and create a win-win scenario for the City and the local business community.”

BIG will provide a fifty percent (50%) matching grant of up to $20,000 to fund well-designed improvements that coordinate aesthetic features of the storefront while creating a safe and accessible entrance for the public. This may include the restoration of architectural details, improved windows and doors, and appropriate signage and lighting.

An additional fifty percent (50%) matching grant up to $5,000 may be available for construction of monument-type signage or the removal and replacement of signage that does not conform to current City code.

Details are available on the City’s website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/big. For more information, contact the Program Administrator at EconDev@sanmarcostx.gov.