Village of Brooklyn Facade Improvement Grant Program

The Village of Brooklyn Facade Improvement Grant Program provides financial assistance for improvements to the public-facing exteriors of commercial properties located within the Village of Brooklyn Corridor Improvement Authority boundaries in Michigan. The Village is using 5000 dollars from the Corridor Improvement Authority, or CIA, for the program. The program is intended to help businesses improve the appearance of their buildings while contributing to the overall visual appeal and economic vitality of the Village. The eligible improvement area must be visible from a public street or sidewalk. The CIA boundaries include properties along the Main Street and Wamplers Lake Road commercial corridors, and applicants are directed to the boundary map included with the application to confirm that a property is within the eligible area. Selected applicants may receive up to 1000 dollars per property. The requested grant amount must be no more than 50 percent of the total cost of the improvements, meaning the grant cannot cover the full project cost. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Disbursement occurs only after the entire project has been completed and the CIA has certified that the work complies with the approved design. Only work described in the approved application is eligible for reimbursement, and the CIA may decline reimbursement if the completed project does not align with the application. Applicants are responsible for construction management, compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements, zoning and building codes, ordinances and other regulations, and ongoing maintenance of the facade improvements. Eligible applicants must be property owners or tenants, with written permission from the property owner when the applicant is a tenant, of commercial buildings located within the Village of Brooklyn Corridor Improvement Authority boundaries. Applicants must also be in good standing with the Village of Brooklyn regarding payment of taxes and utilities. Only one person may submit one improvement project for consideration. A person who owns multiple properties may submit only one property for grant funding consideration. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and submission of a completed application does not constitute a promise of funding. The application requests the applicant's contact information, role as owner or tenant, property owner information when different from the applicant, business name, present use of the building, building address, and a description of the facade. Applicants must provide a detailed description of the proposed improvements, explain why the work is needed, describe the project scope including anticipated start and duration, provide a proposed budget and cost estimate, and explain the expected impact on the business and the Village of Brooklyn. The application also asks whether Village permits are required and requests contractor information, contractor licensing and insurance status, whether a contractor cost estimate has been provided, the total improvement cost, and the requested grant amount. Required supporting materials include proof that all property taxes are paid and current, written property owner permission when the applicant is a tenant, photographs showing the existing condition of the property, contractor cost estimate documentation, and samples of applicable design elements such as paint colors, sign colors, awning fabric, and similar materials. Photographs should show the entire facade as well as close-up views of areas to be improved. Contractor estimates may be detailed quotes or estimates displaying the contractor's company name and contact information. Applicants must complete the application checklist and certify their agreement with the program requirements. Incomplete applications are not accepted and are not eligible for funding. The application period opened Monday, June 8, 2026, and completed applications and required documentation were due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications could be submitted in person to Brooklyn Village Hall, 121 N. Main St., Brooklyn, Michigan, or digitally to aarond@villageofbrooklyn.com. The Corridor Improvement Authority Board is scheduled to review applications in August 2026 and contact selected applicants. Selected applicants must complete the grant-funded work by Monday, May 31, 2027, and reimbursement is dependent on completion within the approved period and CIA certification of compliance with the approved design. Questions may be directed to Community and Economic Development Director Aaron Dimick at aarond@villageofbrooklyn.com. The Village Hall phone number is 517-592-2591. The program follows a successful 2025 funding cycle in which the CIA assisted seven businesses with improvements including window advertisements, signage, brick storefront repairs, and exterior painting.