The City of Fayetteville is excited to announce an opportunity for small businesses and commercial property owners to enhance their properties and strengthen the City’s development community.

The Commercial Exterior Grant Program, fostered through the Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Department, has reopened applications for 2025. 

The program provides financial assistance to support exterior improvements for commercial property owners and business owners in a low-to-moderate-income block group for qualified expenses.

Through the Commercial Exterior Grant Program, the City provides financial assistance to support exterior improvements such as:

• Façade upgrades
• Parking lot improvements
• Landscaping and fencing
• Painting and signage

This program helps to provide growth and retention opportunities to new and existing businesses by stimulating private investment in high-quality improvements that enhance the appearance of properties, eliminate blight, update nonconforming design standards, expand the tax base and increase the economic vitality of Fayetteville.

Program highlights include:

• One-time reimbursement of 50/50 matching funds up to $25,000 per property
• Property investment must be a minimum of $10,000 total project cost
• Eligible properties must be located in the City’s Low-Moderate Income Qualified Block Groups (LowMod Area).
• Pre-approval is required before any work begins

“The Commercial Exterior Grant Program is one of the City’s most effective tools for empowering small businesses and revitalizing our key commercial corridors. By investing in building improvements and improving curb appeal, we’re not only helping business owners attract new customers but also stimulating private investment and creating local jobs,” shared  Economic Development Manager Derrick McArthur. “Every project supported through this program contributes to a stronger, more vibrant Fayetteville economy and showcases our commitment to helping businesses thrive.” 

Factors for approval include but are not limited to impact in redevelopment areas, securing job growth and securing increased taxable value. 

For more information on the program, and to access the application online, visit the City’s Business Resources page.  Read more about the program’s previous success stories in an article written by GFBJ here.