Storefront Improvement

The Storefront Improvement Incentive encourages business owners and commercial property owners to enhance their commercial storefront.The deadline for applications is November 1, 2019.

Applications for 2020 will be accepted beginning January 15, 2020

Objectives

The program intends to achieve the following:

  • To improve the visual aesthetic of commercial property and adjoining streetscape
  • To increase sales and traffic for business owners and commercial property owners
  • To encourage business owners and commercial property owners to invest in their property for long-term viability

Funding

  • Maximum funding is 50% of eligible costs to a maximum allocation of $10,000 per application.
  • Individual Units within a Multi-Unit Building are each eligible for assistance, to a maximum of $30,000 per Multi-Unit Building within a 3 year period.
  • Funds are allocated at the discretion of the Business Development Incentive Review Committee based on the maximum amount under the Program, available funds, as well as the scope and nature of the project.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Storefront Improvement Incentive:

  • Property must be located within the City of Fort Saskatchewan
  • Applicants must be the owner of the property and/or business, or their legal representative.
  • Projects that are part of a Greenfield Development or proposed on land/property that was previously undeveloped will be deemed ineligible.
  • Individual Units within a Multi-Unit Building will be treated as individual applicants
  • Properties, businesses and/or Applicants that have received funding through the Program (excluding the Small Business Education Incentive) within the previous 3 years will be deemed ineligible
  • Government buildings/property, residential property without a ground-floor commercial use, churches, and other religious institutions will not be eligible.

Download the Storefront Improvement Incentive Application and Guidelines

FAQs

Am I required to use local contractors when applying for any of the Business Development Program Incentives?

No. While we encourage businesses to use other local business, we want to ensure that applicants have the ability to seek out the most competitive quotations for their projects.

I have a project that would qualify under two incentives. Can I apply for both?

You are permitted to submit applications for more than one incentive; however, you would only be eligible to receive one incentive.

Can I receive more than one incentive?

Business owners and commercial property owners are only eligible to receive one incentive every three years. If you receive a grant in 2020, you would not be eligible for another incentive until 2023.

The only exception is the Small Business Education Incentive. Recipients of a Small Business Education Incentive would be eligible for another Business Development Program incentive; however, you would not be eligible for another Small Business Education Incentive for three years.

For the Storefront Improvement Incentive, I plan on performing some of the work myself. Can I submit my labour as an eligible expense?

No. While you are permitted to perform work yourself, any labour done yourself or provided in-kind is an ineligible expense.

Are signs eligible for the Storefront Improvement Program?

Signs may be included as part of an overall storefront improvement; however, applications that are exclusively for storefront signs will not be considered.

Note that signs may also be eligible under the Small Business Marketing Incentive as part of a marketing project.

I am the owner of a home-based business. Am I eligible for the Storefront Improvement Incentive?

No. Only commercial property is eligible for the Storefront Improvement Incentive.

I lease space for my business. Am I eligible for the Storefront Improvement Grant?

Yes, as long as you have the approval of the property owner.