Assistance Available

Grants and no-cost financing are available under FACE to fund commercial building exterior enhancements. FACE assistance is provided as one-time, up-front cash payments to awardees, each in the form a half-grant and half-loan. This assistance is intended to partially fund exterior enhancements to the properties and improve the aesthetics of the corridor to prevent devaluation and disinvestment along the corridor.

  • The maximum FACE award is fifty percent (50%) of the lowest contractor’s bid for work under the project or $25,000, whichever is less.
  • In all cases, the cash assistance award will be comprised of 50% grant and 50% loan.
  • Each project has a maximum one time grant payment of $12,500 and a maximum $12,500 loan at zero percent (0%) interest for a term of up to three (3) years.
  • The actual award amount is determined by the cost of the work to be done under the project.

As part of the FACE Program, the City provides design assistance to applicants through a contract with the Neighborhood Design Center. When potential applicants contact the City regarding interest in the program, City staff will connect them with the Neighborhood Design Center who will provide design advice and assistance related to meaningful ways to utilize funds to enhance the aesthetics of the property. This design assistance is provided at no cost to the applicant.

If qualified to do so, the applicant may perform the improvement work. FACE funds cannot be used to compensate the applicant for the purchase or rental of tools and equipment or for applicant’s labor or the labor of family, friends, employees, or others with a financial interest in the business or property. In such instances, FACE can be used only to pay for materials.

An application seeking FACE funds must be filed with the City to be considered for funding. The City may solicit certain property owners or tenants to participate. Applications will be reviewed by City staff and then forwarded to the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation for recommendation to City Council.

Awards are subject to the availability of funds. Applications will be received throughout the year as long as funds are available. Review deadlines have been established to trigger the review of the applications received. These review deadlines for 2019 are:

  • April 26, 2019
  • June 28, 2019
  • August 30, 2019

If all of the funding allocated for 2019 is awarded to projects before the end of the year, the review deadlines for the remainder of the year will be cancelled. The review deadlines may be modified by the Community Improvement Corporation Board as it deems appropriate. Applicants can verify deadlines with the City’s Economic Development Manager. The grant-loan award must be for exterior front façade enhancements (and/or side building elevation if located on a corner lot) and/or the streetscape adjacent to the subject building.

Download Application (PDF)

For more information, contact Economic Development Manager David McCorkle by email or
(614) 436-4518.