Open
Source verified July 2, 2026
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program
Storefront improvement funding for local businesses
Funding available
$ 500 - $ 5,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened April 14, 2026
Location
Northern Rockies, British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Business Façade Improvement Program supports storefront improvements for businesses in the Core Commercial Area. It helps fund façade updates, including signs, paint, exterior lighting, and accessibility upgrades.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Renovate or expand facilities
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Northern Rockies
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Exterior lighting (new but not replacement)
- Exterior architectural features
- Exterior surfaces and details, including decorative details, moldings, trims
- Windows, only if part of larger enhancements; no stand-alone window replacement
- New siding, façade painting, entrances and doorways, awnings, signage, wayfinding signage, accessibility improvements to the outside of the building only, and some aspects of patios
Documents Needed
- Designs and costing for the project
- Owner authorization
- Photos of existing conditions (jpeg format)
- Detailed specifications and associated costs
- Cost estimates from contractors
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Owners of a business located in the core commercial area.
Who is not eligible
- Residential homes located in the commercial area
- Apartment buildings
- Government owned buildings (municipal, provincial or federal, even if they have business tenants)
- Properties outside the specified area (as defined in Eligible Areas)
- Empty buildings or businesses that are not operating, except if the business is renovating or doing improvements to the building in anticipation of re-opening
Eligible expenses
- Direct project labour costs
- Design, architectural or engineering fees related to façade only
- Contractor fees
- Rental of tools and equipment
- Project related materials and supplies
- Shipping and/or freight
- PST
- Exterior lighting for new installations, not replacement
- Wayfinding signage, eligible for 50% to a maximum of $500 and subject to signage bylaws and regulations
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Routine maintenance
- Structural repairs
- Roofs
- Non-permanent fixtures (benches, planters, patio heaters etc.)
- Landscaping
Eligible geographic areas
- Downtown Commercial Development Permit Area
- Gateway Commercial Development Permit Area
- Highway Commercial Development Permit Area
Selection criteria
- All eligible applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-completed basis.
- Proposed projects may be evaluated in consideration of policies and objectives identified in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Official Community Plan.
- Proposed projects may be evaluated in consideration of regulations and requirements identified in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Zoning Bylaw.
- Proposed projects may be evaluated in consideration of policies, objectives and goals identified in other relevant planning documents such as the Downtown Revitalization Plan.
How to apply
1. Contact the Municipality to determine if the building qualifies for the Façade Improvement Program, discuss the project, and obtain the Program Guide and Application.2. Submit a complete application with designs, including all required supporting materials and documents and owner authorization.3. For successful applications, sign the Letter of Understanding when it is sent to the applicant and a representative of the Municipality.4. Acquire any required permits and complete the renovations.5. Provide verification of expenses and proof of payment, including invoices or other confirmations of payment, and submit the totals.6. Provide a Certification of Completion, before and after photos matching the application, and any other supporting documentation, then provide proof that the improvements have passed final inspection for municipal permits where required and meet all building standards and codes where required.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed and a decision to accept or reject the application is made.
- For successful applications, a Letter of Understanding is sent to the applicant and must be signed by the owner/tenant and a representative of the Municipality.
- After the renovations are completed, the owner/tenant provides verification of expenses and proof of payment, and submits their totals.
- The owner/tenant provides a Certification of Completion, before and after photos, and any other supporting documentation.
- Staff verifies that the renovations meet the Letter of Understanding requirements and approves reimbursement, and the applicant is issued a cheque.
Additional information
- The program is intended to improve retail and commercial building frontages and enhance the aesthetics of commercial areas.
- Funding for the program is provided by Northern Development Initiative Trust.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-completed basis by staff within the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality’s Regional Development and Planning Department.
- Approved projects require a Letter of Understanding to be signed by the owner/tenant and a representative of the Municipality before renovations proceed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program Program
What is the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program?
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Business Façade Improvement Program supports storefront improvements for businesses in the Core Commercial Area. It helps fund façade updates, including signs, paint, exterior lighting, and accessibility upgrades.
How much funding can be received?
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program program?
To be eligible for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program program, you must:
The applicant must own a business in the Core Commercial Area.
What expenses are eligible under Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program?
Exterior lighting (new but not replacement)
Exterior architectural features
Exterior surfaces and details, including decorative details, moldings, trims
Windows, only if part of larger enhancements; no stand-alone window replacement
New siding, façade painting, entrances and doorways, awnings, signage, wayfinding signage, accessibility improvements to the outside of the building only, and some aspects of patios
Who can I contact for more information about the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program?
You can contact Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) by email at RDPAdmin@northernrockies.ca or by phone at 250-774-2541.
Where is the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program available?
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality - Business Facade Improvement Program is a Grant and Funding