December 3, 2024 -- Small businesses on Pico Boulevard can soon apply for matching grants from the City for everything from replacing old signs and awnings to installing new doors.

Under the Commercial Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program, which kicks off on January 15, businesses can receive a dollar-to-dollar match of up to $10,000.

The first phase of the program focuses on small business owners "who have historically experienced higher barrier to assessing capital," City officials said.

Businesses who select Santa Monica vendors for material and labor will receive additional consideration for supporting and reinvesting in local businesses.

The grant money can be used to:

* Replace exterior elements such as old signs, awnings, window displays, lighting, siding, façade elements, or other architectural details;

* Repair exterior elements such as painting and patching the façade;

* Landscaping;

* Installing new entry doors and entryways that meet ADA standards, and

* Implementing exterior security enhancements based on recommendations from a Santa Monica Police Department assessment.

There will be an official kick-off meeting for the grant program on January 15 at 4 p.m. in the Annex at Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Boulevard.

Interested businesses can begin scheduling appointments with the Police Department for security audits and thinking of their proposed uses for the grant. To schedule an appointment, email halima.barreto@santamonica.gov.

Following this pilot phase in the Pico Business Improvement District, City officials will explore expanding to other business areas in the city.

Funding for the program comes from federal Community Development Block Grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to "enhance economic vitality in the areas that serve low-income and moderate-income households."

For more information and to apply, visit santamonica.gov programs/small-business-matching-grant-program.

For questions, contact the Economic Development Division at econdev@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-8906.