SIGNS Storefront Signage Grant (Kansas Department of Commerce)
Kansas Department of Commerce, Quality Places Division
Up to $25,000 per community (3 to 5 signs)
Up to $25,000 per Kansas community for at least three new storefront signs on retail and restaurant businesses. Applied for by a community group, not by the business. The 2026 window has closed.
The Kansas SIGNS grant pays for new storefront signs on retail and restaurant businesses in rural downtowns. A business cannot apply on its own: a municipality, foundation, Chamber, Main Street, economic development or other nonprofit community group applies for three to five businesses, and each business covers matching funds. A community can request up to $25,000 and must fund at least three signs. The 2026 window ran January 1 to February 28, 2026 and has closed; the annual cycle suggests a window early in 2027, but none is announced.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount
- $25,000
- Realistic amount
- About $8,333 of grant per sign, with roughly $4,166.50 matched per sign (the program's planning estimate).
- Deadline
- 2026 window closed February 28, 2026. The program ran an annual cycle (announced December, applications January 1 to February 28); no 2027 window is announced yet.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- KS
Who qualifies
- Applicant is a municipal, foundation, Chamber, Main Street, economic development or other nonprofit community-based entity
- Application names a minimum of three and a maximum of five businesses that need new signage
- Businesses are retail or restaurant establishments serving walk-in customers in a qualifying commercial district
- Letter of support from the city and letters from each participating business committing to matching funds
- Lessees need the building owner's permission letter
- City and State property taxes must be paid in full
- Not eligible: government buildings, residences, home businesses, food trucks, franchise corporate signs, internally lit panel signs
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Design, purchase, lighting, electrical and installation of a commercial sign
- Awnings with signage
- Artist design fees (rates of $20 to $50 per hour)
- Grant administration up to 10% of the award
Ineligible expenses
- Facade improvements
- Window replacements
- Interior improvements
- Temporary signage
- Sign maintenance
- Billboards or marketing signs
How to apply
-
1
Community group registers and applies
A municipal, Main Street, Chamber or nonprofit group registers an account and submits the application naming 3 to 5 businesses.
~8 hrs
-
2
Collect letters
City letter of support and a commitment letter from each business covering matching funds.
~6 hrs
-
3
Design and install
Training, work with an approved artist and a sign fabricator, then install within six months of approval.
~40 hrs
The business owner cannot apply alone. Find your Main Street group, Chamber or city and ask them to apply, then line up the city letter and your own match commitment before January.
Deadline & timing
Application opened January 1, 2026 and closed at 11:59 PM on February 28, 2026; award notification April 2026; sign installed within six months of approval. Recheck after November 20, 2026 for a December announcement.
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Required documents
- Letter of support from the city
- Letter from each participating business committing to matching funds
- Building owner permission letter for leased space
- Evidence of the need for new signage
- Property tax compliance
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