BIG-LIFT Citywide Storefront Improvement Grant Program

The BIG LIFT Citywide Storefront Improvement Grant Program is administered by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) as a citywide community development initiative for eligible small businesses in Brownsville, Texas. Building on BCIC's BIG Program for Historic Downtown Brownsville, BIG LIFT extends property improvement assistance to commercial corridors and neighborhoods throughout the city. The program is intended to improve the appearance and economic vitality of commercial properties, support locally owned small businesses, encourage visible exterior investment, and strengthen commercial corridors. BIG LIFT is separate from the downtown BIG Property Improvement Grant Program, and businesses within the BIG Program boundaries must use that program instead. A property cannot receive funding from both programs for the same property. BIG LIFT provides a one-time reimbursable grant covering 80 percent of approved exterior improvement costs, up to a maximum BCIC reimbursement of $30,000. Applicants are responsible for the remaining 20 percent and must have sufficient capital to pay 100 percent of project costs upfront. The minimum total project cost is $2,000, corresponding to a minimum 80 percent BCIC reimbursement of $1,600. Projects may exceed the cost necessary to receive the maximum grant, but BCIC will reimburse no more than $30,000 and the applicant is responsible for all additional costs. Funding comes from BCIC's Operating Budget, is limited, and remains subject to availability. Eligible expenses include facade painting, re-siding and cleaning, architectural restoration, doors, windows and awnings, signage, parking lot resurfacing and striping, drought-tolerant landscaping and hardscaping, public-facing outdoor patios and seating, qualifying murals and public art, and exterior lighting. Interior improvements, new construction, equipment, HVAC, security systems, routine maintenance, emergency repairs, in-house labor, undocumented expenses, and work begun before the Notice to Proceed are among the excluded costs. Eligible applicants include commercial property owners and existing, actively operating for-profit business tenants located within Brownsville city limits. Businesses must be locally owned and independently operated, have fewer than 20 employees on payroll as of application, and have operated for at least two years. Tenants must have at least 24 months remaining on their lease or documented renewal rights sufficient to cover the preservation period and must provide notarized property-owner authorization. Applicants and properties must be current on property taxes and free of outstanding code violations, liens, or other compliance issues. Two contractor quotes are required, including at least one from a Brownsville-based contractor. Bars, taverns, and similar establishments qualify only with the required TABC Mixed Beverage Permit and accompanying Food and Beverage Certificate. Home-based businesses, nonprofits, certain residential and multi-family properties, businesses with active Conditional Certificates of Occupancy, specified public officials and BCIC-affiliated individuals, certain immediate family members, and parties in active disputes with the City or BCIC are ineligible. Applications are submitted through BCIC's website at https://brownsvillecic.com after applicants confirm eligibility and assemble the required materials. Required application documentation includes two itemized contractor quotes dated within 90 days, at least two pre-improvement photographs, proof of property ownership or a certified lease, notarized owner authorization for tenants, proof that property taxes are current, applicable TABC documentation, photographs of the facade and project areas, an itemized project scope, budget and construction timeline, and applicable schematic designs, conceptual renderings or construction drawings. Permits are not required at application, but all permits applicable to an approved project must generally be obtained within 90 days after the Notice to Proceed. Approved applicants must execute a program agreement and receive a formal Notice to Proceed before starting reimbursable work. BIG LIFT is competitive and not every eligible application will receive funding. BCIC staff review and score complete applications and submit funding recommendations to the BCIC Board of Directors, whose funding decisions are final. Evaluation may consider alignment with priority corridors or target areas, visual and community impact, demonstrated business need and project readiness, application quality and completeness, investment in the property, and long-term commitment to the location. Staff review occurs within 60 days after the applicable application window closes. Approved projects must generally be completed within nine months of execution of the program agreement. Reimbursement documentation includes an invoice to BCIC, itemized vendor invoices and receipts, evidence of cleared payments, and before-and-after photographs. Cash payments and manual receipt-book receipts are not reimbursable. Following approval of the reimbursement documentation, BCIC states that funds will be disbursed within 30 business days. Applications are released sequentially by electoral district rather than being continuously open citywide. District 1 accepted applications June 1 through July 10, 2026; District 2 accepts applications September 1 through October 9, 2026; District 3 accepts applications December 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027; and District 4 accepts applications March 1 through April 19, 2027. For District 2, the published schedule anticipates staff review in October and November 2026, presentation at the November Board meeting, agreements in December 2026 or January 2027, and project completion around August or September 2027. The published rollout continues through District 4, with its projects expected to conclude around February or March 2028. The source does not state that the program repeats annually or on another regular recurring cycle. Recipients are subject to a two-year preservation and reporting period following project completion, including employee payroll tax documentation every six months and an annual sales tax report. BCIC may require repayment under specified circumstances involving alterations, sale, transfer, or cessation of operations, and recipients must comply with program publicity and signage requirements. Program questions may be directed to Eric Quintero, Director of Community Development, at equintero@brownsvillecic.com. Additional general BCIC contact information provided on the program webpage includes (956) 747-0100 and info@brownsvillecic.com.

Prioritize visible and lasting exterior improvements with strong community impact; submit a complete and well-documented application; demonstrate business need and project readiness; show investment in the property and long-term commitment to the location; obtain two compliant contractor quotes with at least one Brownsville-based contractor; do not begin reimbursable work before the formal Notice to Proceed.