Facade Improvement Grant
Facade Improvement Grant – Barton County and the Cities of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington
The Barton County Facade Improvement Grant (FIG) program provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for façade improvements to defined areas to create a visual impact and increase economic prosperity, accessibility and quality of life in Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington, Kansas.
Completed FIG projects currently sit at 68. More than $2 million dollars has been invested in our Main Street businesses with over 40 local contractors hired and the majority of goods used in the projects purchased from Barton County businesses.
Round IV
FIG 26 (Round IV) raises the stakes. The County has budgeted $120,000.00 and area Cities are contributing up to $10,000.00 per project in their respective area. Planned are up to two projects each in the participating Cities of Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington ($20,000.00 cap) and six in Great Bend ($20,000.00 cap). The City monies will not be co-mingled and each City will be given the opportunity to provide input on the awards.
Barton County will provide all administrative services.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be the property owner or business tenant and in good standing with the government and local authorities.
- The building must be located in a defined district, as determined by the Cities. That area may include the “downtown areas” and “major highway” of Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington and those businesses within “eye shot” of same. For Great Bend, the defined district is city-wide, with applications weighted based on such things as traffic, project clustering, etc. Please refer to the maps found under the Façade Improvement Grant tab under “Living in Barton County” on the County’s website – www.bartoncounty.org.
- Funds are for existing street-facing commercial properties in the defined by Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend, and Hoisington, Kansas.
- This program gives priority to retailers and restaurants.
- Funds may not be used for work begun before receiving a Grant Award Letter and Grant Agreement from Barton County.
- No more than one property, per application.
- No more than three properties, per year, per owner(s), and shareholders.
- Tax exempt properties are not eligible for the FIG program.
Defined Districts
The Cities of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington are areas of priority funding for purposes of this program. Each City has determined it’s eligibility area to include:
Main Street and Major Highway corridor and eyeshot of same
Entirety of City
Grant Amount
Applications accepted beginning Tuesday, June 16, 2026, through 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2026. Grants will be provided in the amount of up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $20,000. Funding amounts are determined based on project size, match and visual impact and other factors as may be determined.
- No more than twenty-five percent of the award may be used toward signage.
- No more than twenty-five percent of the award may be used toward windows.
- Applicants are encouraged to use more than fifty percent of the award toward visual impact.
Funding is available until program funds are depleted. Barton County, as well as the Cities, reserves the right to alter, amend or discontinue the program at any time without written notice. It is the intent of Barton County to assist in bringing up to 12 projects to our communities in 2026.
Design Guide
- The exterior project should make a noticeable contribution to the revitalization of the Cities.
- The exterior project should be compatible with and complement adjacent buildings.
Reimbursable Expenses
- Eligible reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, exterior street-level improvements such as awnings, paint, windows, doors, lighting, railing, fencing, molding, restoration of architectural details and accessibility ADA compliant projects. Improvements may include exterior masonry work, cornices, shutters, gutters and historical architectural elements.
- In-eligible reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, interior projects, HVAC systems, roofs, landscaping, water spigots, murals, consumable goods, maintenance agreements, security systems, supplies, temporary products, chain-link fence, debris removal, parking surface areas, utility lines and projects that involve insurance claims.
Application Checklist
Please submit the application and ALL its contents at the same time.
- Application: (name must match W9 and the deed to the property unless the building tenant is applying to which they will need a letter signed by the property owner)
- Application Narrative: see application
- Photos: the building's exterior, including problem areas that will be renovated
- Quotes: all project expenditures must be from a Barton County licensed contractor(s) and vendor(s). If you are not able to secure a Barton County contractor or vendor for your project, provide a thorough explanation as to why not.
- Samples and Renderings: visuals of the finishes and products that will be used in the façade improvement.
- Property Insurance: must match the building address
- W9: (name must match W9 and the deed to the property unless the building tenant is applying to which they will need a letter signed by the property owner)
Barton County retains the option to obtain its own cost estimates for any project. Please allow 60 days for your application to be reviewed.
City Responsibilities
A $10,000.00 commitment per each City’s project assignment maxes out the amount available at $20,000.00 per property! For that, each City gets:
- Input in grant award
- Improved corridor appearance
- City investment holds it value – no monies co-mingled
- City and the County will split the cost of each project, with the County billing the City for one-half the project cost up to a maximum of $10,000.00 following project completion.
Exceptions
The County may waive grant requirements under unique circumstances as it sees fit.
Documents