BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is now accepting applications for the BIG LIFT Citywide Storefront Improvement Grant Program from eligible small businesses in Brownsville City Commission District 2. Applications are open September 1 through October 9, 2026.
The District 2 cycle follows a strong response from the program’s first application period. Fifteen District 1 businesses submitted complete applications, collectively requesting nearly three times the funding available for that cycle. Most requested the full $30,000 grant amount.
BIG LIFT provides one-time reimbursement grants for exterior improvements to eligible locally owned businesses. BCIC reimburses 80 percent of approved project costs, up to $30,000, and the applicant is responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
Because the program operates on a reimbursement basis, approved applicants must fund the full project upfront. BCIC issues its reimbursement after the project has been completed and all required documentation has been approved. The minimum total project cost is $2,000.
Eligible projects may include façade painting and restoration, signage, doors, windows, awnings, exterior lighting, parking lot resurfacing and striping, drought-tolerant landscaping, outdoor seating, and murals or public art by local artists. Work started before BCIC issues a Notice to Proceed is not eligible for reimbursement.
Applicants must be for-profit, locally owned businesses operating within Brownsville city limits for at least two years and employ fewer than 20 people. Property owners may apply, as may tenants who meet the program’s remaining lease and owner-authorization requirements. Additional property, documentation, tax, code-compliance, and contractor-quote requirements apply.
Funding is limited and competitive. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Applications are reviewed and scored by BCIC staff before being presented to the BCIC Board of Directors for final approval.
District 2 businesses can review the complete guidelines and apply in English or Spanish at brownsvillecic.com/lift.
Questions about eligibility or the application process may be directed to Eric Quintero, Director of Community Development, at equintero@brownsvillecic.com.
BIG LIFT will continue its citywide rollout with District 3 applications open December 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, followed by District 4 from March 1 through April 19, 2027.
About Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC)
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development corporation. It is dedicated to driving sustainable economic development, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting strategic projects, and cultivating partnerships that support Brownsville’s thriving and vibrant community. BCIC operates under four core pillars. The first is Community Development, achieved through initiatives like the BIG Grants, which support the revitalization and preservation of Historic Downtown Brownsville, and the Quality of Life Grants, designed to enhance the community’s well-being. These grants fund projects that create welcoming and inclusive spaces, improve amenities, and promote activities that benefit residents and visitors. The second pillar is Finance Programs, which support local small businesses by providing financial resources to help them start or expand. This, in turn, creates jobs with livable wages, contributing to the overall economic stability of the region. The third pillar is Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where BCIC supports the entrepreneurial journey with incubation, acceleration, and continuous assistance. Lastly, BCIC’s Marketing and Communications efforts drive public engagement by amplifying the impact of programs, fostering community pride, and promoting Brownsville as an attractive hub for living, working, and investing. For more information, visit www.brownsvillecic.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Nelson I. Amaro at namaro@brownsvillecic.com or (956) 538-1910