Medford Opens Second Round Of Business Façade Improvement Grants

MEDFORD, MA — The City of Medford's Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability has opened applications for its second round of funding for the Business Façade Improvement Grant Program, which is intended to enhance the exterior appearance of commercial spaces and attract new customers to the local business scene.

During the first round of funding, the city awarded over $50,000 to 13 small businesses looking to make façade improvements. Now, an additional 10-20 grants will be awarded to small businesses and property owners interested in making street front exterior improvements to lighting, awnings, signage, new paint, and window boxes.The grant will reimburse 50 percent of a business owner’s qualifying project costs up to $5,000.

“With this program we were able to make a significant investment in revitalizing our downtowns and help small businesses grow,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. “Now with this second round of funding, we’ll expand our reach and award more grants that will help businesses improve their storefronts and contribute to more vibrant commercial districts.”

As part of the grant program, successful applicants will receive design and construction management assistance from Favermann Design, the on-call urban design consultant designated by the city and funded through an additional Massachusetts Gaming Commission grant. As part of the design consulting services provided to the city, Favermann Design will also develop storefront design guidelines for Medford’s commercial districts.

The Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability will accept applications to the grant program from Oct. 11 through Nov. 22.

For more information regarding the Storefronts grant Program, visit www.medfordma.org/storefront-improvement/. Anyone with questions may contact Medford’s Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability at 781-393-2480 or yniwa@medford-ma.gov.