A New Grant Opportunity – The Turnbull Facade Grant Program.

Mike Turnbull was a huge advocate for the Emporia community. His work on various community boards, including Emporia Main Street, helped the area grow and change. Mike thought about continuing his positive impact when conducting his estate planning, and a series of initiatives in his name will enhance our region.

The newest initiative is the Turnbull Facade Grant Program. We know that diversifying our economy through small businesses and entrepreneurship is key to resiliency. Small business decisions are made locally. Unique entrepreneurs often bring in dollars from outside our area in the form of destination business practices. Local entrepreneurs often use and support other local businesses in their daily operations, which magnifies their positive impact on the region.

One of the issues faced by small businesses is the cost associated with great spaces. Consumers will make some snap decisions about a business based on the external aesthetic. Without a quality facade, some businesses struggle to gain foot traffic. The first edition of the Turnbull Facade Grant Program will help alleviate that issue for qualifying businesses and/or property owners.

Below are the specific elements of the grant:

Grant Purpose: To facilitate facade improvements to the front-facing portions of commercial spaces in downtown Emporia, Kansas.

Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per project.

Matching Funds Requirement: Dollar-for-dollar match required. Funds can be matched by cash, bank financing, or other loans.

Eligibility: Owners or tenants (with owner’s consent) of commercial properties in downtown Emporia.

Design Guidelines Compliance: Must adhere to the Emporia Downtown Design Guidelines and Historic Standards for the Emporia Downtown Historic District.

Review Committees: Projects reviewed by the Emporia Main Street Design Committee and approved by the Emporia Main Street Board of Directors.

Special Considerations: Priority given to projects that facilitate building activation and/or upper story usage.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than January 31, 2025

Project Completion Timeline: Must be completed within 12 months of grant approval.

Contact Agency: Emporia Main Street

Contact Information:

Phone: 620-340-6430 | Email: [email protected] | Website: emporiamainstreet.com

Grant Standards

1. Design Guidelines Compliance

• Emporia Downtown Design Guidelines: All facade improvements must comply with the design guidelines outlined on emporiamainstreet.com, ensuring consistency with the historic character of downtown Emporia. Design Guidelines can be found at the following link: https://emporiamainstreet.com/programs/design/downtown-design-guidelines/
• Historic Standards: Projects must adhere to the historic standards applicable to the Emporia Downtown Historic District, preserving architectural integrity and heritage. Additional Kansas State Preservation Office information can be found at the following link: https://www.kshs.org/p/preserve/19387

2. Eligible Improvements

• Restoration of original architectural details.
• Repair or replacement of windows, doors, and storefronts consistent with historic character.
• Cleaning and repointing of brick or stone facades.
• Painting and appropriate signage that aligns with design guidelines.
• Installation of awnings and canopies in line with historic aesthetics.
• Lighting enhancements that improve facade appearance and safety.

3. Ineligible Improvements

• Routine maintenance not enhancing the facade.
• Interior improvements.
• Roofing (unless part of facade structure).
• Non-permanent fixtures.

4. Matching Funds

• Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the grant funds requested.
• Matching funds can come from personal cash contributions, bank financing, or other loan programs.

5. Review and Approval Process

• Initial Review: Applications are first reviewed by the Emporia Main Street Design Committee for compliance with design guidelines and historic standards.
• Final Approval: Upon recommendation by the Design Committee, the Emporia Main Street Board of Directors will review and approve the grant applications.
• Permits: All necessary city permits and approvals must be obtained before work commences.

6. Special Considerations

• Projects that activate unused spaces, especially upper stories, will receive special consideration.
• Innovations that contribute to the economic vitality of downtown Emporia are encouraged.

7. Project Completion

• Projects must be completed within 12 months from the date of grant approval.
• Extensions may be granted upon written request and approval by Emporia Main Street.

8. Reimbursement

• Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis after completion of work and submission of paid invoices.
• Emporia Main Street reserves the right to inspect the completed work before releasing funds.

9. Marketing and Recognition

• Grant recipients agree to allow Emporia Main Street to use project images and descriptions for promotional purposes.
• Recognition plaques or signage may be installed to acknowledge the grant contribution.

If you are interested in submitting a Turnbull Facade Grant proposal, please contact Emporia Main Street, or CLICK HERE.