The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant (CFIG) program, implemented by the City of Jackson, Mississippi, is funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program under the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program's core mission is to revitalize commercial districts by encouraging business and commercial property owners to enhance the exterior appearance of their existing buildings. This initiative aligns with broader community development goals by fostering an improved aesthetic appeal, which is expected to attract more consumers and investors to the area.
The target beneficiaries of the CFIG program are small business owners and commercial property owners within the City of Jackson. Eligible applicants are for-profit organizations that are new or expanding commercial businesses whose activities contribute to a revitalization effort and promote investment. The program aims to support businesses that operate within Jackson city limits, employ U.S. residents, have annual gross revenue of $500,000 or less, have no outstanding liens or debts to the City, and are physically located in commercially zoned areas utilizing the City of Jackson Water System. The overall impact goal is to enhance the economic vitality and visual appeal of the district.
The program prioritizes a variety of façade improvements, including masonry repairs, storefront reconstruction, exterior painting, window and door repairs/replacements, permanent exterior lighting, repairs to gutters, downspouts, and roofs affecting the façade, sign design and installation, decking, stairs, and improvements to outdoor seating and landscape. It also covers pressure washing and graffiti removal. The focus is on tangible upgrades that directly contribute to the visual enhancement of commercial properties, thereby creating a more inviting and prosperous environment.
Expected outcomes include a more aesthetically pleasing commercial district, increased consumer traffic, and greater investor confidence. The grant awards up to $15,000 in funding per project, which is intended to directly facilitate these physical improvements. Measurable results would likely include the number of façades improved, the types of improvements made, and potentially an increase in local business activity or property values within the targeted areas over time. The strategic priority is to leverage federal funding to stimulate local economic growth and improve the quality of life within Jackson's commercial zones, operating on the theory that improved aesthetics lead to increased economic activity.
