Dozens of dilapidated downtown buildings are now renovated thanks to the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s Downtown Facade Improvement Program. In partnership with locally-owned small businesses, Mission EDC has funded the refurbishment of more than 40 Conway Avenue storefronts in the past five years. Renovated storefronts include those of photo studios, barbershops, insurance agencies, boot stores and pastry shops.
Still on a successful run, the program recently awarded its 41st matching grant to a small business owner. The funding will aid in a new facade for what is now an empty building renovation. Plans are to place a new tenant soon.
“Business expansion and creating jobs is part of our core mission here at the Mission EDC, and the Downtown Facade Improvement Program is doing exactly what it was meant to do,” said Mission EDC CEO Alex Meade. “The facade program is two-fold success for the community. We are not only investing thousands of dollars into the improvement of partner small businesses, but into the enhancement of downtown Mission.”
The Mission EDC provides grants of up to $10,000 to applicants who are located downtown, however, applicants must make a matching investment. Applicants can also apply for a non-matching grant of up to $3,000. Grant awarding is on a competitive first-come first-serve basis. There is a re-allocation of downtown facade improvement funds annually. Downtown entrepreneurs can also apply for financial assistance through the Downtown Rent Subsidy Program, a separate Mission EDC initiative.
To date, the program has disbursed $318,805 to 41 projects on Conway Avenue. An additional $214,480 investment by local businesses has also gone into building and storefront improvements.