Project Eligibility Requirements

• Experienced negative impact on operations due to the pandemic, evidenced by a decrease in gross revenue on business tax return between 2019 and 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023

• Meets SBA size standard for small business.

• Must qualify as a small business and be independently owned.

• Must be physically located within the limits of the City of Laredo.

• Start-up Businesses may also be eligible.

• Must have an address located within the Difficult Development Area Map. Qualified Census Tract Map. or the Central Business District Map provided.

• Be in good standing with Texas comptroller's office, if applicable

• Applicant must disclose funds received through local or federal grant funding that will be used for the project. Separate funding sources cannot cover the same the costs. including but not limited to City Small Business Assistance previously administered or CARES Act funding.

• Be in good standing and registered with the City of Laredo Tax Office as well as current with local taxes and fees.

• Must have no current unpaid code enforcement liens or violations of any local, state. federal laws.

• Must be current on all taxes including payroll, sales, unemployment, property, State, and Federal.

• If applicable, façade plans must be approved by the City of Laredo Historical District/Landmark Board.

• Applicants are required to meet all codes and ordinances of the City of Laredo.

•  Applicants are also required to secure any necessary permit(s) from the City of Laredo before work may commence. Applications will not be considered if any code or ordinance violations exist.

Eligible Improvements
The City of Laredo Outdoor Spaces, Façade and Storefront Improvements Grant Program offers grants to improve and enhance outdoor usage for small, independent, and locally owned establishments located within the City of Laredo and within either a Difficult Development Area, Qualified Census Tract, as defined by the U.S. Treasury or within the Central Business District (CBD) in the City of Laredo. Detailed maps of each the Difficult Development Areas, Qualified Census Tracts, and the Central Business District are included with this document. The Program provides grants from $500 to $20,000 for eligible single businesses to make improvements to the façade and storefront. Grants up to $30,000 will be available for eligible property owners of a group of businesses with a shared façade. Grants are designed to cover a portion of the costs associated with outdoor space improvements. Grants can be used towards eligible project expenses in each of the following Categories:

Façade Renovation

• Design and engineering
• Materials and labor
• Renovations to property exterior
• Exterior Lighting
• Exterior Painting
• Repairs of Windows and Window Framing
• Stucco, stone, or masonry elements

Patio Improvements

• Design and engineering
• Canopy installation and/or repair
• Umbrellas, fans, and other cooling systems
• Outdoor furniture
• Decorative Fencing (excluding chain-link)
• Materials and labor

 Landscaping Renovations

• Design and engineering
• Decorative fencing (excluding chain-link)
• In-ground and/or planters along base of exterior Materials and labor

Ineligible Improvements

• New construction
• Parking lots, areas or spaces
• Burglar bars
• Sidewalk installation or repair

Ineligible Applicants

• Franchisors (local or non-local)
• Gambling/Gaming Businesses
• Sexually Oriented Businesses
• Payday & Auto Loan Providers
• Tobacco, CBD, and Vape Stores
• Government owned and/or occupied buildings

A complete list of Ineligible Industry NAICS are included with the program Policy and Application.