The city of Fort Wayne’s Commercial Facade Grant program’s fifth year is about to get under way. The program provides local businesses the opportunity to apply for matching grants to improve the exterior of their buildings.

Applications for the grants will be accepted from Nov. 12 through Dec. 14; they are available online at www.cityoffortwayne.org/commercial-programs.html or by calling 311.

Since the program began in 2008, 55 facade improvement projects have been completed or are being completed, generating a private investment of $2,666,975. The city requires applicants to provide matching funds in order to receive the grant.

The program makes funds available to businesses along many of the city’s more highly traveled streets such as the Wells, State, Calhoun, Taylor and Broadway.

The grants help offset the costs of facade renovations, signs, lighting, awnings, parking improvements, decorative fencing, and other enhancements owners want to make to their property’s facade.

Businesses are eligible for up to a $20,000 matching grant; multibusiness or multitenant buildings are eligible for up to $40,000.

For more information, contact Aliza Tourkow, grants manager, at 427-2792 or aliza.tourkow@cityoffortwayne.org.