Rockwood Storefront Improvement Grant

Eligible businesses

• Businesses operating within the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal Area. Find your address
• Commercial property owners. (Retail, service, restaurants, etc.)
• Businesses with written authorization from the property owner.
• For-profit businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

Business requirements

• Work must not begin before the contract is approved and signed.
• Applicant must have a current City of Gresham business license.
  • Renew or apply for a Gresham business license
• Proof of property insurance is required before the grant is approved.

• Businesses must clear any liens, code violations, or unpaid property taxes to qualify for funding.

Rockwood Storefront Improvement flyer

Application process

1. Submit your application online.Applications are accepted and reviewed as we receive them.
2. Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) staff reviews each application to confirm it meets requirements.
3. Staff will meet with the business / property owner on-site to review the proposed improvements, requirements and answer questions.
4. Once the application is approved, staff will provide the applicant with a grant agreement (contract). The contract will detail the funding amounts, project scope and agreement terms.

Grants are awarded for repairs or updates to storefront exteriors. Funding supports projects that improve safety, vibrancy, economic development and property values. 

Eligible projects

• Canopies and awnings (durable and high-quality materials only)
• Exterior lighting
• Exterior painting
• Landscaping, fencing, bike racks and interior window display lighting (if part of exterior work)
• New cornices, gutters and downspouts
• Permanent fixed signs
• Sidewalks 
• Siding replacement
• Stand-alone accessibility improvements
• Window and door replacement

What funding does not cover

• Billboards
• Interior window coverings
• Non-permanent fixtures
• Paving
• Personal property or equipment
• Razor/barbed wire fencing
• Roofs
• Security bars
• Security systems
• Structural foundations

Approved grant funding is distributed as a reimbursement. Funds do not cover up-front costs.

• Eligible businesses can apply for matching grants for up to $10,000.
• The grant will cover 50% of your project cost, up to $10,000.
• The total project cost must be at least $2,000.

The matching grant amount will be calculated at 50% of the total project cost, with a grant amount not to exceed $10,000.