Jacksonville Main Street Doubles Facade Grant Funding to Spur Renovations
Jacksonville Main Street approved a $25,000 budget on Jan. 7 to run its Facade Improvement Grant program for a second year, offering reimbursable grants that cover up to 30 percent of eligible commercial facade projects (maximum $5,000). The program aims to stretch public dollars into larger private investments in the 44-square-block Main Street district, with applications due March 31, 2026 and project completion required by year-end.
On Jan. 7, Jacksonville Main Street set aside $25,000 to continue its Facade Improvement Grant program into a second year, a move designed to help local commercial property owners absorb rising material and labor costs while improving downtown curb appeal.
The reimbursable grants will cover up to 30 percent of a project's cost, capped at $5,000 per project, and apply to eligible commercial facades within the 44-square-block Jacksonville Main Street district. Projects must be visible from the road, receive preapproval, and be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. Applications are due March 31, 2026, and property owners will be notified of awards by April 15.
The additional funding follows a first-year rollout that allocated nearly $12,000 in grants and helped finance more than $58,000 in façade work. That first-year activity produced roughly a five-to-one leverage effect, where each dollar of grant funding supported about five dollars of private investment in storefront improvements. If Jacksonville Main Street allocates the full $25,000 and applies the 30 percent rate across projects, the budget could catalyze roughly $83,000 in total façade work; because of the $5,000 cap, the program can fund up to five maximum-size awards.
Jeremy Coumbes, chair of the Design Committee, noted the first-year results and urged greater participation as construction costs climb. The program’s structure — reimbursing a share of costs after preapproved work is completed — is meant to ensure quality standards and public return on investment while encouraging property owners to move forward on improvements they might otherwise defer.
For Morgan County, the grants are a small but targeted economic development tool. Façade renovations can increase foot traffic, raise property values, and make commercial corridors more attractive to shoppers and prospective tenants. The multiplier observed in the program’s first year demonstrates how modest public subsidies can unlock larger private spending in downtown Jacksonville.
Property owners considering applications should plan projects that meet the visibility and preapproval requirements and allow time for completion before the end of 2026. Awards will be distributed on a reimbursable basis after verified completion, making upfront financing a practical consideration for smaller businesses.
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