The Business Façade Improvement program provides esthetic benefits to businesses in communities across Northern Development’s region.
Introduced in 2013, the program provides funding to local governments, who in turn grant those dollars to local businesses for façade improvements. To date, Northern Development has approved $3.2 million in funding for 242 projects.
Local governments can apply for up to $20,000 each calendar year and those funds are granted to businesses for various types of improvements including facades, siding, murals, signage, lighting, awnings and patios.
The Village of Burns Lake improved the overall look and feel of three businesses through the Business Façade Program in 2021. Wildroots Flowers and Gifts completely updated its store front, the Beacon Theatre was able to add outdoor siding to two sides of the building and All-West Glass upgraded its façade with a new paint job.
In 2022, the City of Williams Lake provided its business façade funding to four businesses for various esthetic improvements. The Royal Canadian Legion installed a new timber-front overhang, Daily Stash Cannabis replaced its front overhang and adding new siding and lighting on the front of the business. The Overlander Hotel used the funds to update the overhang at its front entrance along with updated parapet siding and the Red Shred Bike and Board Shop extended its roof parapet and added window overhangs, along with new siding and new signage.
The District of Chetwynd also provided business façade funding in 2022 to three local businesses. The Tsekhene Community Development Corporation upgraded Duz Cho Construction with new paint and lighting. Swordstone Studios took advantage of the funding for new siding, entrance, stairs and signage. Finally, the local IGA completed an outside renovation including a new canopy, paint and signage.
