Façade and Lot Improvement Program (FLIP)

PROGRAM: The EEDC will provide up to $10,000 in grants to a qualifying small business to help with repairs to existing parking lots, signage or facades. The EEDC has committed $400,000 for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for up to 40 qualifying small businesses (up to $10,000 each). The program provides financial assistance for improvements to eligible commercial businesses that have occurred or will occur from date of implementation through September 30, 2025, subject to the terms of the grant and final approval from the EEDC Board of Directors.

The FLIP program operates under reimbursement only. Approved projects will receive funds upon project completion. Any improvement project expense incurred before approval and obtaining the building permit will not be reimbursed, unless otherwise approved by the EEDC Board of Directors.

If a qualifying business can demonstrate that they cannot undertake the improvements contemplated in the program due to financial hardship, then EEDC may consider providing the qualifying business with financial assistance up to the grant amount to cover the anticipated costs. Failure to satisfy all the requirements of the program will result in the enforcement of the funding agreement to pay back funds.

The application opens:
TBD

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Application period closing:
TBD

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

In order to qualify, your business must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Business must be located within Edinburg City Limits. *Please see map
Business is a commercial property owner and/or an existing for-profit business (tenant) in the City of Edinburg with fewer than 20 employees.
Business is currently operating.
Locally-owned.
The qualifying business must be current with all local property tax payments.
All grant recipients (business and/ property owner) must not have outstanding code enforcement violations or liens. A letter from the City’s Health & Code Department may be needed. All grant recipients must be current on rental, lease or mortgage payments if applicable.
Business must submit two quotes for work to be completed. At least one quote must be from an Edinburg business/vendor/contractor.
If grant recipient is a tenant, authorization from landlord via letter is required.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:

Subject to review and approval by the EEDC and any applicable laws or codes and program rules, any hard costs associated with the renovation of exterior portions of property owned or leased by the qualifying small business can be reimbursed by this program. These eligible expenses may include the following, but could also include other expenses found to be in line with the intent of the program as determined by the EEDC:

Construction of outdoor patios.
Exterior painting, re-siding, cleaning, or other improvements that revitalize façade appearance.
Exterior restoration of significant architectural details.
Installation of permanent landscaping.
New doors, windows, or awnings.
Parking lot resurfacing with striping.
Repair, removal, and replacement of old signage.
Roof repairs that are part of the existing building.

Grantees shall be selected by the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Board and shall comply with the City of Edinburg’s Development Services requirements before work begins. Permit fees will be waived.

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES:

Any improvements to secondary or accessory buildings (i.e., garages, storage buildings, closets).
Equipment, Mechanical, or HVAC systems.
New building construction.
Reducing or enclosing existing storefront windows.
Routine maintenance.
Security systems (including metal roll down gates, window bars, cameras).
Improvements performed prior to February 25, 2025 or after September 30, 2025.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION YOU NEED BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Confirmation that mortgage, property insurance and property tax payments are current and in good standing, which is usually a copy of a receipt.
Documentation of property ownership or written consent from property owner giving permission to conduct the identified improvements.
Business must submit two quotes for work to be completed. At least one quote must be from an Edinburg business/vendor/contractor.
Three (3) photos of the project site prior to and after improvements.
Owner authorization letter, if leasing property.
W-9 Form

RESTRICTIONS:

This is a one-time grant. One application per person or business entity and per address.
Home-based business are not eligible to apply.
Non-profits are not eligible to apply.
Awardees of the first FLIP round are not eligible to apply.
Residential and Multi-family projects are not eligible to apply.
Grant awards are contingent upon funds availability.

***The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation reserves the right to approve or deny any category or business type ineligible including those businesses that are prohibited by federal or state law, businesses soliciting or promoting activities such as gambling, lobbying, and/or sexually-oriented activity, and those subject to indictment, arraignment, or other formal criminal charges. ***

RESOURCES:

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications for funding shall be received beginning on —– and may be accepted through ——-, unless the EEDC Board discontinues the program.
Review the eligibility criteria and required documentation, and verify if your business is eligible to apply.
Complete and submit the Façade and Lot Improvement Program application online.
Economic development staff may schedule a phone call or a meeting with the applicant to request additional documentation, if needed.
Project application will be presented to the EEDC Board for consideration. Applications will be evaluated and graded on the criteria established by the EEDC.
- If approved by the EEDC Board, applicant will receive an email with notice of award determination and possibly notice to proceed.
- If not approved by the EEDC Board, applicant will receive an email with non-approval notice.
Economic development staff will schedule a meeting with the applicant to review quotes, fill out a scope approval form, and a waiver of fees form.
Project referred to and review by relative City Departments.
Start and complete project when business permit is issued. Projects must be completed by September 19, 2025. If project needs an extension, please submit request in writing to EEDC staff for determination. Project extensions will be considered on a case by case basis.
Grant funding will be disbursed within 3-4 weeks of documentation submission, and approval of such documentation by EEDC staff, subject to availability of funds.