Building Improvement Grant Program

The 2026 Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program, led by the Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD) in partnership with the City of Opelousas and Opelousas Main Street, offers targeted funding to enhance commercial properties within the city’s designated downtown area. The program is designed to foster revitalization and preservation efforts that contribute to the historical and cultural fabric of Opelousas, Louisiana. In its seventh funding cycle, BIG prioritizes support for existing businesses committed to rehabilitating their properties, thereby strengthening the economic and aesthetic vitality of the downtown district. BIG is a reimbursement-based grant program offering up to $10,000 per applicant. A critical stipulation is the dollar-for-dollar matching requirement, meaning recipients must invest an amount equal to or greater than the grant awarded. The total funding pool for 2026 is $100,000, and applicants may submit only one grant request per business address per fiscal year. All projects must be located within the designated boundaries of the Opelousas Downtown Development District, with added preference given to properties within the Main Street or Historic District areas. Eligible improvements under the grant include both exterior and interior upgrades such as historic façade restoration, masonry and roof repair, window and door replacement, lighting enhancements, and plumbing or ceiling work. The program expressly excludes non-permanent upgrades, signage, advertising, property acquisition, and any work started prior to official approval. All labor performed by the applicant is ineligible for reimbursement. Applicants must either own or lease the property at the time of application and must secure the owner’s permission if leasing. Compliance with local codes, design standards, and historic preservation requirements—including securing a Certificate of Appropriateness for properties within the Historic District—is mandatory. Grant funds are disbursed only after project completion, verification of work through receipts and photographs, and successful inspection. Projects must begin within 45 days of the signed grant agreement and be completed by December 31, 2026. Businesses are expected to commence operations within six months following project completion. The grant application deadline is April 30, 2026. Submissions may be made via email to Brittany Cretchain ([email protected]) or Melanie Lebouef ([email protected]), or by physical mail or in-person delivery to the ODDD office at 5367 I-49 Service Road in Opelousas. Applications postmarked by April 30 are accepted. A review committee comprising representatives from ODDD, Opelousas Main Street, the Historic District Commission, the Louisiana Department of Historic Preservation, and the Opelousas City Council will evaluate submissions. Grant decisions will be announced in May 2026. For assistance with the grant process or questions about eligibility, applicants are encouraged to contact Melanie Lebouef of Opelousas Main Street at [email protected]. This community-driven grant initiative underscores Opelousas’ commitment to preserving its historic identity while encouraging active economic revitalization in the downtown corridor.