Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CBDG)

The City of Hemet Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program is a cornerstone of the City’s economic development strategy. Funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this initiative represents a direct investment in the physical fabric of our community.

The Purpose of the Investment: The City of Hemet recognizes that the "face" of a business—its facade—is often the first impression a visitor has of our entire city. High-quality storefronts increase "pride of place," and encourage residents to shop locally rather than traveling to neighboring cities. By removing the financial barrier of exterior renovations, the City of Hemet is partnering with you to create a "Safe and Clean" environment that fosters long-term business sustainability.

The primary GOAL of the Hemet Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program CDBG Grant Program is the establishment of new, retain, and sustainable businesses that contribute to the City's economic vitality.

Key Objective

To meet CDBG compliance, the project must serve a primarily residential area where at least 51% of the residents qualify as low-to-moderate-income (LMA) based on HUD limits for Riverside County. Documentation must now focus on defining the geographic service area and verifying its demographic data rather than tracking individual job creation or employee income.

https://gis.cityofhemet.org/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bbd3e89172b9479f9f3997c82589c61d

The City of Hemet - Economic Development Department has authorized a maximum award of $20,000.00 per eligible business or property. This amount is designed to cover significant upgrades, such as a full exterior repaint combined with new professional signage.

The City of Hemet has narrowed the scope of this grant to the "Core Five" items. This "menu" of options was selected to have the most immediate and visible impact on the community's appearance.

  1.  Murals: We encourage professional, high-quality artistic renderings on street-facing walls. Murals are a proven tool to create unique "Instagrammable" moments that drive foot traffic to your door.
  2. Digital Signage: These must be integrated into the building façade or a permanent monument sign and must comply with the Hemet Sign Code regarding brightness and refresh rates.
  3. Exterior Paint: This must be professional-grade painting of the primary façade. High-contrast colors that fit within a professional commercial palette are encouraged.
  4. Windows: This grant covers the replacement of storefront glass, aluminum frames, and entire window systems to brighten your interior and professionalize your exterior.
  5. Doors: The grant covers new commercial-grade entry doors, including ADA-compliant hardware and security glass.

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CBDG) Application

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CBDG) Guidelines

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CBDG) Flyer