VHEDC – Facade & Lot Improvement Program

In order to qualify, your business must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Business must be located within Van Horn city limits.
2. Business is a commercial property owner and/or an existing for-profit business (tenant) in the City of Van Horn with fewer than 20 employees.
3. The qualifying business must be current with all local property tax payments.
   All grant recipients (business and/ property owner) must not have outstanding code enforcement violations or liens. All grant recipients must be current on rental, lease, or mortgage payments if applicable.
4. Business must submit two quotes for work to be completed. At least one quote must be from a Van Horn business/vendor/contractor (if available). If a local quote is unavailable please include the rationale on the application.
5. If grant recipient is a tenant, authorization from landlord via letter is required.

Subject to review and approval by the VHEDC and any applicable laws or codes and program rules, any hard costs associated with the renovation of exterior portions of property owned or leased by the qualifying small business can be reimbursed by this program. These eligible expenses may include the following, but could also include other expenses found to be in line with the intent of the program as determined by the VHEDC:

• Construction of outdoor patios.
• Exterior painting, re-siding, cleaning, or other improvements that revitalize façade  appearance.
• Exterior restoration of significant architectural details.
• Installation of permanent landscaping.
• New doors, windows, or awnings.
• Parking lot resurfacing with striping.
• Repair, removal, and replacement of old signage.
• Roof repairs that are part of the existing building.
• Demolition or removal of buildings or exterior structures on lots.

All improvement projects must be approved by the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation.

1. Any improvements to secondary or accessory buildings (i.e., garages, storage buildings, closets).
2. Equipment, Mechanical, or HVAC systems.
3. New building construction.
4. Reducing or enclosing existing storefront windows.
5. Routine maintenance.
6. Security systems (including metal roll down gates, window bars, cameras).
7. Improvements performed prior to April 10, 2024 unless approved by the Board of Directors.

1. Confirmation that mortgage, property insurance and property tax payments are current and in good standing, which is usually a copy of a receipt.
2. Documentation of property ownership or written consent from property owner giving permission to conduct the identified improvements.
3. One to two (1-2) photos of the project site prior to and after improvements.
4. Owner authorization letter, if leasing property.

1. This is a one-time grant. One application per person or business entity and per address.
2. Home-based businesses are not eligible to apply.
3. Residential and Multi-family projects are not eligible to apply.
4. Grant awards are contingent upon funds availability.

***The Van Horn Economic Development Corporation reserves the right to approve or deny any category or business type ineligible including those businesses that are prohibited by federal or state law, businesses soliciting or promoting activities such as gambling, lobbying, and/or sexually oriented activity, and those subject to indictment, arraignment, or other formal criminal charges.***

1. Applications for funding shall be received beginning on April 22, 2024 and may be accepted through December 31, 2024.
2. Review the eligibility criteria and required documentation and verify if your business is eligible to apply.
3. Complete and submit the Facade and Lot Improvement Program application.
4. Economic development staff may schedule a phone call or a meeting with the applicant to request additional documentation, if needed.
5. Project application will be presented to the VHEDC Board for consideration. Applications will be evaluated and graded on the criteria established by the VHEDC. **If approved by the VHEDC Board, applicant will receive an email with notice of award determination and possibly notice to proceed. **If not approved by the VHEDC Board, applicant will receive an email with non-approval notice.
6. Project referred to for review by relative City Departments.
7. Start and complete project when business permit is issued. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2024. If project needs an extension, please submit request in writing to VHEDC for determination. Project extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. Grant funding will be disbursed within 2-4 weeks of documentation submission, and approval of such documentation by VHEDC, subject to availability of funds.

If you have any questions, please contact Cody Shafer at codyshafer@vanhorntexas.org