CHRISTIANSBURG – Increased communication for applicant processes with the goal of the better use of funds are top priorities for the Town of Christiansburg Business Façade program.
“In 2019, the Town of Christiansburg created a new program aimed at helping property or business owners improve their building façades and encourage investment in our historic central business areas. The Façade Grant Program, the first of its kind in the Town of Christiansburg, completed its first round in 2020, and was designed to improve the streetscape and strengthen partnerships with Downtown and Cambria stakeholders as well as encourage revitalization of older commercial buildings. However, for the first time ever, this program will not be limited by specific areas and instead will be offered to all of Christiansburg,” according to www.christiansburg.org/facadegrant.
“Staff has recognized three key areas that we feel need addressing within the façade grant program. That’s communication, support, and some adjustments to the program,” Public Relations Director Christina Bolt said during her presentation to Christiansburg Town Council members and attendees on Mar. 25.
Bolt said that improved communication began last year and came as a result of seeing many business owners express this need during Council meetings. A Small Business Communication Manager position has helped also in completing this goal, she said.
Moving forward, clarifying requirements for application processes would aid in more applicants possibly receiving funding. Some of those mentioned by Bolt were applications for decorative facades, which would be considered for approval, and although landscaping cannot be accepted solely, it could be incorporated along with other façade improvements.
“We could require a budget breakdown and project schedule,” Bolt said. There would be a few additional items in the application packet, including how to submit for reimbursement and guidelines for the program.
Clarifying verbiage on what institutes a façade is also recommended by the Grant Façade program. Additionally, all qualifying Town businesses are eligible, but Downtown Christiansburg and Cambria businesses are designated in the evaluation rubric in receiving priority on funding.
Bolt said that grant awardee support and guidance is also necessary, and the Small Business Façade program staff will “make sure that they have everything they need, not that we are responsible for keeping them on track, but that we are there for support as they try to keep themselves on track.”
Small businesses who are awarded funds have a deadline to meet for completion of projects to their business facades. The Grant Façade program staff would do check-ins periodically with awardees. An improved rubric, Bolt feels, would better state the requirements for the application process and will help produce better completed packets for review.
Three workshops are offered by staff and are best practice for competitive application results. June 30 is the deadline for application submissions, and money would be awarded by August 1, with a deadline of façade completion by business owners by June 30 of 2026, Bolt said.
Council members Kim Bowman and Johana Hicks both said that business owners had shared frustrations with them of not receiving notification about the acceptance or denial of their application.
“I can’t remember when those were approved, but it’s been weeks, you know, and they’re kind of hanging out there frustrated…is what the result is, a lot of frustration,” Bowman said.
“I heard the same thing, so I hope that you do reach out or maybe somebody from town does reach out, because I mean now there is less of time that they can actually do something with,” Hicks said.
Additional information provided on the façade grant program page focuses funds on the improvement of the “streetscape” and therefore improve the look and feel of the town’s appearance to visitors and tourists. Business or property owner awardees should be able to show evidence of monetary investments that match or exceed the funded awards. The program is not a means for property owners to maintain their buildings.
“I see no reason for anybody that receives that grant to improve their building. We give them that money to help our citizens, not to fix their buildings,” Mayor Michael Barber said.
