Schuyler County is expanding a grant program aimed at helping local businesses refresh their buildings and boost reinvestment.
Finger Lakes Gateway announced updates to the Schuyler County Façade Improvement Program that allow applications on a rolling basis and open the door to projects outside traditional village centers and main commercial corridors.
The program offers reimbursable grants to help property owners and businesses improve the exterior appearance of existing commercial and mixed-use buildings. Officials say the goal is to strengthen streetscapes, improve visibility, and support long-term economic growth.
Since launching in 2022, the program has awarded grants to 31 businesses. About $292,000 in public funding has leveraged an estimated $2 million in private investment, an 8-to-1 return, according to program officials.
“The Façade Improvement Program is designed to help businesses reinvest in the buildings they already occupy while strengthening the visual and economic character of Schuyler County,” said Judy McKinney Cherry, executive director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development.
Under the updated guidelines, projects will still be scored primarily on impact and readiness. Business owner labor remains ineligible for reimbursement, but officials may now consider it as part of a project’s overall scope and commitment to reinvestment.
Grant awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 and require at least a 50 percent private match. Eligible improvements include painting, signage, storefront upgrades, masonry and window repairs, accessibility enhancements, and other visible exterior work.
Jon Beckman, chair of the SCOPED board, said the changes ensure strong projects from across the county receive consideration while protecting public funds.
The program was created by the Schuyler County Legislature in January 2022 using American Rescue Plan Act funding and is administered by the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, also known as Finger Lakes Gateway.
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