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1. What is the BIG Program?

This program provides matching grants to reimburse commercial property owners or business operators for Eligible Enhancements made to their properties.

2. Who is this program for?

Any commercial business in the City of Saginaw that is looking to enhance their existing site visually, or in ways that increase the viability of the property for business use. This includes uses allowed in the zoning classifications: Community Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Office Professional, Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, and within Planned Developments.

3. What are Eligible Enhancements?

There are 10 different categories of improvements that are eligible for consideration as part of this grant program. These include –

1. Façade enhancements
   • The replacement or restoration of façade materials, cleaning or power washing exteriors, painting, replacement of windows and doors, installation of new or renovation of existing awnings and canopies, any restoration of historical architecture, roof repairs, and the rehab of gutters and downspouts.
2. Interior building renovations
   • Renovations that enhance the usability of a building.
3. Landscaping
   • The installation of edging boundaries, shrubs and trees, seasonal plantings that provide color and aid beautification efforts, upgrades to or installation of irrigation systems, lawn renovations, and replacement or installation of fencing.
4. Lighting
   • The replacement of interior lighting, lighting in pedestrian areas such as sidewalks, accent lighting, and signage lighting.
5. Parking areas and driveways
   • Reconstruction efforts, including the removal of existing pavement, gravel, curbing, drives, or ramps, resurfacing of asphalt parking areas, and the restriping of parking spots and fire lanes.
6. Pedestrian amenities
   • The paving of areas for customers to congregate, addition of seating areas, shade structures, installation of fixtures to provide music, trash receptacles, and addition of play equipment for public and customer use.
7. Signage
   • Replacement of existing signs with new signs that comply with City Code.
8. Code compliance
   • Reconstruction or new construction for public accessibility requirements and installation or upgrade of fire suppression systems for safety purposes.
9. Demolition
   • Costs associated with demolishing and removing existing structures.
10. Public art installation
    • Addition of murals, sculptures, interactive art, visual art, etc.

4. What kind of financial assistance is available?

The potential matching grant for each category of property improvements is EITHER 50% of the total cost of the enhancement, OR $5,000- whichever is the lesser amount of the two.

This means that if Company A submits an application for assistance on a $500 landscape improvement to their property, the most the City will match is 50% of that amount, or $250.

If Company B submits an application for assistance on a $15,000 façade improvement to their property, the most the City will match is $5,000, since 50% of $15,000 is over $5,000.

If Company C submits an application for assistance on BOTH a $500 landscape improvement AND an $15,000 façade improvement, the City can match up to $5,250 (50% of $500 + $5,000). In this scenario, because the landscaping improvements and façade improvements are in different categories of Eligible Enhancements, the two requests can be considered independently.

Please note that grant payments will be provided only as REBATES for improvements. Payments will not be paid up front, prior to construction, and will require invoice and payment verification.

5. What if I don't own my building?

If you are a business owner that would like to apply for assistance through the BIG Program but you do not own your building, you just need to provide a copy of your lease agreement and support from the property owner with your application submission.

6. What if my property is a residential use?

The BIG Program is for commercial properties ONLY in the City of Saginaw.

7. How do I apply?

First, read over the BIG Program Policy (click here) and then complete a DIGITAL Application (click here) or a PDF Application (click here) and email to:

Director of Community & Economic Development, Keith C. Rinehart at  krinehart@saginawtx.org.  You can also call 817.230.0331 to speak directly with the Economic Development Office about the program, find out if your proposed improvement may be eligible for consideration, or with any questions or comments!

Please provide the following with your application form:

• Proof of ownership of the property OR written approval of the application from the owner and a copy of your signed lease agreement
• Photographs of the existing property (optional)
• Drawings, renderings, or plans of the proposed enhancements (optional)
• Written description of enhancements, including building materials and color schemes to be used
• A construction cost estimate provided by a licensed contractor

Click here to apply.

8. What is the process for consideration and approval?

Once the Application (click here) has been received and vetted for completeness, the Economic Development Office will prepare an impact analysis for the improvement(s) to present to City Council. The City Council will meet in Closed Session (private) following their next scheduled Regular Meeting to discuss the request and determine whether they would like to approve a grant or not. The Economic Development Office will contact the applicant to provide a response and to proceed with drafting an agreement for both parties to sign. This process can take an average of 2 – 4 weeks and should be completed prior to the start of any construction or enhancement on the Property.

All grant applications shall be considered and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Specific consideration will be given to projects which further the goals and objectives of the community or are located in areas of preferred improvement; namely along major transportation corridors. Nothing within the BIG Program Policy, nor any previously-issued agreement shall imply or suggest that the City is under any obligation to provide financial incentives at any time to any applicant.

9. Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact the Economic Development Office directly at 817.230.0331 or by email at KRinehart@saginawtx.org with any questions regarding the BIG Program.