2025 Small Business Façade Improvement Program Guidelines
Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District Program
In Partnership with the Barnstable Planning & Development Department
The Small Business Façade Improvement Program provides matching grants to commercial property and business owners located in the Hyannis Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) District who are seeking to renovate the street-front exteriors of their structures.
- Funding awards ranging up to $10,000 will be issued and payment will be made directly to contractor(s) completing the project. Applicants are required to contribute at least 20% project match (ex: $10,000 project, $8,000 in grant funds and $2,000 match). No grant payments will be issued until the applicant has paid the matching portion of the project.
- A total of $50,000 in funding is available, with funding from a MassDevelopment TDI Local grant
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include any building owner or tenant of a commercial or industrial building located in the Hyannis TDI District. All applications from building tenants require the signature and approval of the building owner.
Eligible Improvements
Any new improvement to primary front-facing commercial facades is eligible, such as:
- Signage
- Outdoor seating/Dining Improvements
- Exterior painting and/or Siding
- Landscaping and/or Planter Boxes
- Decorative features (shutters, awnings, etc.)
- Windows/Doors
- Brick or stone work
All related construction and improvements to be supported by the program must occur after the grant award. As deemed applicable, work must be approved Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Commission (HHDC) before commencing.
Program Timeline
May 8, 2025 Applications Available
June 8, 2025 Applications Due
June 13, 2025 Award Notifications
November 1, 2025 Deadline to Complete Work, Final Reports Due
Application Requirements
- Completed application – all application fields have been completed by the applicant and competitive estimates for each proposed work item are included.
- Property ownership/permission – the applicant has provided proof of property ownership or a letter stating permission from owner to complete the proposed work.
- Demonstration of required match – the applicant has demonstrated the ability and willingness to contribute at least 20% of the total project cost.
2025 Downtown Hyannis Façade Grant Application (fillable PDF)
2025 Downtown Hyannis Façade Grant Application (printable)
https://businessbarnstable.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Small-Business-Facade-Improvement-Program-Application-printable.pdf
Reporting Requirements
Grant recipients must submit proof of payment for the match before grant funds are issued directly to the contractor. Grantees must also publicize their grant award to promote their project and the grant program.
Selection Process
An application review panel will review each application based on the evaluation criteria listed below.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Ability to complete the proposed project
- Highly Advantageous (HA): The application provides a detailed plan for project method, materials and management that will result in timely completion of the proposed work before November 1st, 2025. Proposal is consistent with HHDC Guidelines.
- Advantageous (A): The application provides a detailed plan for project method, materials and management that will result in timely completion of the proposed work before November 1st, 2025. Proposal may be consistent with HHDC Guidelines.
- Not Advantageous (NA): The application does not provide a clear or detailed plan for completion of the proposed work and/or the work is not consistent with HHDC Guidelines.
Potential for Economic Impact
- HA: The proposed project demonstrates potential for accomplishing both of the following: a) increases revenue or decreases expenses for the applicant business; b) improves commercial property value for the applicant and/or neighboring properties
- A: The proposed project demonstrates potential for accomplishing at least one of the following: a) increases revenue or decreases expenses for the applicant business; b) improves commercial property value for the applicant and/or neighboring properties
- NA: The proposed project does not demonstrate potential for positive community and/or economic impact. Potential for Visual/Aesthetic Impact
- HA: The proposal will improve a highly visible element of the building/property in a manner that is consistent with the historic and architectural character of the area. Proposed improvements will provide positive ripple effects for neighboring businesses.
- A: The proposal will provide an improvement to a visible element of the building/property.
- NA: The proposal does not provide an improvement to a visible element of the building/property. New Applicant
- HA: The applicant has not previously received a façade grant.
- NA: The applicant received a 2023 or 2024 façade grant. Locally Owned Business
- A: The business applying for funds is locally owned (Cape Cod resident).
- NA: The business applying for funds is not locally owned. Local Contractor
- A: The work being performed will be completed by a local contractor (business is located in Barnstable).
- NA: The business applying for funds is not locally owned.
Program Contact
Elizabeth Wurfbain, Executive Director for the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District [email protected] / 508-775-7982
FAQs
1. What types of projects are eligible for this program?
➢ Any new improvement to primary front-facing commercial facades is eligible, such as:
o Signage
o Outdoor seating/Dining Improvements
o Exterior painting and/or Siding
o Landscaping and/or Planter Boxes
o Decorative features (shutters, awnings, etc.)
o Windows/Doors
o Brick or stone work
2. What properties are eligible for the program?
➢ Any commercial property located in the Hyannis TDI District is eligible.
3. Can I apply for the grant if I’m not the property owner?
➢ Yes but you will need to include a signed letter from the property owner authorizing the
application as well as a copy of your lease.
4. Do I need to include an estimate and rendering with my application?
➢ Yes, incomplete applications will not be accepted.
5. How many estimates do we need to provide?
➢ One estimate from a professional is sufficient.
6. Does the sketch/rendering of the project need to be professionally done?
➢ No, it can be a rough sketch as long as it accurately depicts the proposal.
7. Are there insurance or wage requirements for the contractors performing the work?
➢ No.
8. When do projects using grant funds need to be completed?
➢ By the end of the calendar year (12/31/24).
9. How will we receive the grant funds if awarded?
➢ Grants funds will be paid directly to the contractor performing the work after it’s completed.
10. What if my contractor requires a deposit?
➢ In this case we’d encourage you to pay for the deposit as your 20% matching funds for the project.
11. Am I eligible to apply if I previously received a façade grant?
➢ Yes, but new applicants will be given preference.
12. Who decides how funding will be awarded?
➢ An application review panel consisting of representatives from the BID, the Town, and
MassDevelopment will review applications based on the evaluation criteria listed in the
program guidelines.
- Country Garden (email [email protected], she can come and make an estimate and proposal with a drawing. Ex. take part in a program to have Country Garden deliver, plant, and change out the plants 4x a year.