The BIG grant was initiated in 2019 to rejuvenate and preserve Historic Downtown Brownsville, a region rich in history with buildings dating back to 1850. Due to its success, the grant has reached its fifth iteration. In the latest phase of this grant, its benefits were extended to cover a broader territory that had recently flourished with commercial and cultural projects. The program aimed to pave the way for more comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, fostering connectivity between these evolving areas and enhancing the region’s overall appeal and functionality.
In 2022 and 2023, the Business Improvement and Growth Grant (BIG) provided reimbursable 50/50 matching grants to property owners and tenants in Downtown Brownsville. The grant supported various improvement projects such as facade restoration and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades and provided rent assistance in the area’s densest commercial sector.
BIG Program
The BIG Program offers reimbursable matching grants to downtown property owners and tenants investing in rehabilitating commercial buildings within the BIG Program Boundaries. The program aims to strengthen downtown’s economic activity by offering incentives to preserve existing buildings and prevent further deterioration, prep vacant spaces for occupancy and reduce vacancies, and promote mixed-use development by activating multi-story buildings. Eligible activities include:
Façade Improvements
Interior MEP Improvements
Rent Subsidy*
Eligible applicants may stack the various grants listed above.
*Rent Subsidy grants are available only to tenants.
The BIG Program is funded through BCIC’s 2024 Operating Budget. Program funding is limited, and the BCIC Board of Directors’ consideration of grant applications is subject to the availability of funds.
THE PROGRAM IS NOT INTENDED TO FUND FULLY OR KICKSTART PROJECTS, AND THE APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAVE THE AVAILABLE CAPITAL TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE PROJECT. IF THE APPLICATION IS DENIED BY THE BCIC BOARD, THE APPLICANT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY.
ABOUT THE REHABILITATION GRANTS
The BIG Program offers reimbursable matching grants for eligible project costs for façade and interior mechanical, plumbing, and electrical improvements of commercial buildings. For this iteration of the program, BIG includes two categories for property rehabilitation projects:
Extensive Rehabilitation
Façade and Interior MEP Improvements – up to $200,000 with an 80% match required by the property owner and a 20% match from BCIC.
Standard Rehabilitation (Available to both property owners and tenants.)
Façade Improvements – up to $25,000 with a 50/50 match.
Interior Improvements – up to $35,000 with a 50/50 match.
ABOUT THE RENTAL REINVESTMENT GRANTS
Program Participants may be reimbursed up to twelve (12) months of rent, with a maximum rent subsidy of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for the year for any business. The rent reimbursement works as follows:
Program participants may receive up to 50% of their monthly rent, not to exceed $1,250. The rent reimbursement amount will be determined by the monthly rent as stipulated on the Certified Lease Agreement.
Rent reimbursements must be requested on a monthly basis by submitting an invoice from the business to BCIC, show proof of rent payment, and submit a profit and loss statement from the previous month.
Properties must be located within the BIG Program Boundaries. Reference this map for eligibility.
