Barberton Façade Improvement Grant Program
City of Barberton Department of Planning & Community Development
Up to $25,000 per property/business per year (80% reimbursement)
CDBG façade grant up to $25,000/year (80% match) for Barberton commercial properties in LMI census tracts; rolling applications.
A CDBG-funded façade improvement grant for commercial buildings located in low-to-moderate-income census tracts in Barberton, Ohio. The program provides an 80/20 matching reimbursement grant up to $25,000 per property/business per year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the 2026 Program Year (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027) until the available allocation is spent.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $25,000
- Realistic amount
- $0 to $25,000 depending on project cost; grant pays up to 80% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Rolling basis for the 2026 Program Year (10/1/26–9/30/27) until allocation is spent
- Status
- active
- States
- OH
Who qualifies
- Commercial building located in a low-to-moderate-income census tract in the City of Barberton
- Work must be on first- and/or second-floor spaces with an active street presence
- Other funding sources have not been obtained for the same work
- Façade improvements must be exterior and visible from the public right-of-way
- Work cannot begin until after execution of the grant agreement
- Buildings in the Downtown Barberton Historic District require Design Review Board approval
- Must provide 20% matching share (cash or other sources)
Who is not eligible
- Properties not in a low-to-moderate-income census tract in Barberton
- Projects already under construction or completed
- Repairs for damage covered by insurance or acts of nature
- Buildings in the Downtown Barberton Historic District that do not obtain Design Review Board approval
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Exterior painting
- Removal/restoration of incompatible exterior finishes
- Safety-glass installation
- Door and entrance reconfiguration
- Storefront window repair/replacement
- Exterior lighting, awnings, and signage
- Accessibility barrier removal
- Sidewalks, light posts, parking, and streetscape features
Ineligible expenses
- Building interiors
- Signage not connected to the building
- Equipment purchases
- Mowing/recreational areas
- Personal property
- Political activities
- FEMA special-flood-area work without precautions
- Insurance-covered damage repairs
How to apply
-
1
Confirm census-tract and historic-district eligibility
Verify the property is in a low-to-moderate-income census tract in Barberton and, if in the Downtown Historic District, obtain Design Review Board approval before applying.
~1 hrs
-
2
Complete pre-approval application
Submit the pre-approval application to the Planning Department to confirm project eligibility, compatible zoning, and any needed environmental/historical review.
~1.5 hrs
-
3
Submit full application with documentation
Provide the full application, project budget, photos, contractor estimates, proof of 20% match, and required compliance documents.
~3 hrs
-
4
Present to Project Review Committee
If documentation is complete, present the project to the PRC, which makes a funding recommendation to City Council.
~1 hrs
-
5
Execute agreement and complete improvements
After City Council approval and agreement execution, complete the work and submit proof of payment for reimbursement.
~2 hrs
Contact the Planning Department early for a pre-application review; projects already under construction are ineligible, and historic-district properties need Design Review Board approval before any façade work can begin.
Deadline & timing
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until available CDBG allocation has been spent. Construction projects receiving $2,000 or more are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage.
Required documents
- Pre-approval application
- Full Façade Improvement Grant application
- Project description and visual-impact materials
- Detailed line-item budget
- Current photos of the façade
- Contractor cost estimates
- Proof of 20% matching funds
- Property ownership documentation or notarized owner consent
- Design Review Board approval (if in Downtown Historic District)
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.