Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program

The goal of the Fillmore Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program is to provide financial support to property and business owners with the renovation of the street facing side of a commercial building and structures for occupancy by businesses through funding for exterior building repairs or improvements. The program is open to businesses and property owners with a business at street level that is open to the public and provides goods or services ("Qualified Property").

The Grant Program will assist individual businesses by helping multiple businesses renovate their storefronts to make the City's neighborhood commercial corridor more attractive for and inviting to shoppers and visitors.

Grantees may apply for grants as reimbursements or payments to licensed contractors for an eligible improvement's approved costs, with a grant from the Fillmore Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program not to exceed $12,500, per building/business project. Funds are awarded on a first come first serve basis and there is no guarantee of funding availability.

The objective of this Grant Program is to facilitate economic growth and commercial revitalization, correct code violations, stimulate private investment and upgrade the physical image of the Target Area through the use of the City's American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") funds.

• The Grant Program is limited to the properties and businesses located within the defined boundaries ("Target Area") between Central Avenue and Sespe Avenue to the North and Highway 126 to the South.
• To be eligible for a grant under this Grant Program an application must be approved PRIOR to the commencement of any work on the project. No retro-active reimbursements or payments can be issued.
• Property and/or business owner(s) must maintain proper liability insurance on the property during the construction period(s): $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate. Construction contracts with manufactures or suppliers will need a $2,000,000 product and completed aggregate limit. Owner(s) will be required to list the City as an additional insured. Staff shall review the insurance policy limits to insure adequate policy coverage.
• Grant applications may be submitted by either a business or property owner if both parties are in agreement. Individuals, partnerships, corporations, nonprofit corporations and other legal entities may apply for assistance.The signature of each titleholder is required on all appropriate documents.The City will verify property ownership.
• Each business must have a valid Business License with the City of Fillmore at time of application and while all work is being undertaken.
• Projects must meet all applicable City Zoning, Sign and Building Code, and Downtown Specific Plan requirements.
• Applications will be accepted starting July 1st each year that funds for the Grant Program are available. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis from the time a complete submittal is received until all grant money has been allocated.
• Applications must include copies of bids received from three licensed contractors and the applicant will be required to use the lowest responsible bidder.
• Grant monies will be issued as a reimbursement to the applicant if the applicant paid the contractor and has provided the City the copies of paid invoices and cashed checks, or payment can be made to the contractor directly upon completion of the approved project and invoice submission to the City, up to the amount of the grant awarded which cannot exceed $12,500.
• Projects must be completed within 180 days of application approval unless a written extension is requested before expiration of this timeframe by the applicant and approved by the City Manager and the grantee must provide the City with a copy of the Notice of Completion.
• Reimbursements or payments will be made within 45 business days after the submittal of all required documentation (i.e., receipts, proof of payment, etc.) to the City's Planning and Community Development Department.

• Façade improvements and renovations
• Installing, repairing, or replacing appropriate awning or signage
• Painting of exterior structures
• Replacement of storefront windows
• Enhancement of window retail space
• Tuck pointing brick and masonry
• Repairing or replacing cornices, trim, or architectural details
• Adding approved, architecturally interesting, features or repairing existing architectural features

• Interior work
• Electrical improvements (excluding exterior lighting)
• HVAC improvements
• Property acquisition
• Equipment, Furniture, and Fixtures
• Roof work
• In-house labor performed by the property owner, tenant, or their employees
• Performing general or deferred maintenance on buildings or properties
• Parking area paving, resurfacing, repair or striping

1. Contact The Fillmore Association of Businesses, FAB, for a pre-application meeting to discuss the project and its requirements.
   Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program
   Sean McCulley
   Phone: 805-402-7626
   Email Sean McCulley
2. Submit a completed Grant Application, form W-9, proof that property taxes are current, bids from 3 licensed contractors, proof of insurance, and "before" photos of the project and schedule a formal presentation including cost estimates with the Design Review Committee for plan approval. Estimates should list the work that the contractor will do for you and include information regarding what materials the contractor will use.
3. Formal presentation to the City. This should include: Color, digital photographs of your storefront. Picture/drawing/illustration that shows the work you plan to do.
4. Once an application has been approved, the grantee must execute all required City grant documents and complete all of the work within 180 days of notice of application approval.
5. Upon completion of the project, grantee must submit all receipts, proof of payment (copies of cancelled checks front and back) and "after" photos to the City for review. The City is unable to make reimbursements for payments to contractors or others in cash.
6. The grantee and its contractor and their employees may not discriminate against or segregate any person(s) on account of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, or ancestry in the performance of this Agreement.
7. No officer or employee of the City may have any financial interest in this business or property receiving a grant nor shall any such officer or employee participate in any decision relating to a grant which affects his or her financial interest or the financial interest of any corporation, partnership or association in which s/he is interested, in violation of any State statute or regulation.
8. If all program requirements have been met, the City of Fillmore will reimburse the grantee or pay contractor the approved projects costs not to exceed $12,500 per building project.

Applicants must not start work until receiving a signed approval from the City.

• City of Fillmore - Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program Application Form
• City of Fillmore - Downtown Rehabilitation Program - Request for Reimbursement Application Form
• City of Fillmore Downtown Specific Plan (PDF)