The City of Davison Downtown Development Authority has established a design assistance program to encourage high quality, highly visible improvements to businesses in the DDA district. The program is designed to encourage the return of facades to their original character. This included preservation of existing building details, the use of long- lasting materials, accessibility improvements and treatments which enhance the experience of visitors to downtown and your business.
Thank you for your continuing investment in our Community!
DDA Business Match Program Criteria:
This match program is for beautification, restoration, signage, and landscaping.
1. Exterior only
2. Grants can range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000 match per business. 1:1 match
3. Licensed and insured contractors to be used.
4. Before and after pictures submitted to the DDA.
5. Work completed within 1 year.
6. Approval by planning commission may be needed for some projects.Building permits may be required on some projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify with the appropriate officials regarding what is required.
7. All applications must be submitted by March 16, 2026. (Please submit ‘before’ pictures with your application).
8. These grants are reimbursed once the project is fully completed, paid invoices are submitted, approved and on-site review of the work verifies the work was completed in accordance with the submittal and in a professional manner. Profession trades people are expected to be responsible for all work and its installation. Projects must meet all Building Codes, City Ordinances, etc. (Please submit ‘after’ pictures with your receipts)
9. Lessees and Lessors can apply. Building improvements not requested by the building owner must have the approval of the owner as directed on the application form.
10. Must be current on all City fees; property taxes, personal property taxes, water/sewer.
11. Business must be in DDA. Attach map.
12. The design, construction, and/or installation should be sustainable and designed/built for Construction must start within six months of award and be completed six months of construction start.longevity. 2
13. Applicants are eligible to receive the grants multiple times and in consecutive years, however priority will be given to new applicants.
14. Applicants should be aware that this is a limited competitive program, meaning that an applicant may not be awarded a grant, or the grant amount requested may be reduced at the discretion of the DDA Review Committee.
15. Projects or phases of a project can exceed $10,000 (cost of the project including the maximum grant and are in fact encouraged. The review scoring will award more points for projects with greater investment by the property/business owner. If the project being submitted is a phase of a much larger project only the investment of that phase will be eligible.
16. If awarded, grant applicants agree to the participant to any promotion of the project the City of Davison DDA.
Funding Priorities
The DDA is funded by the captures of incremental local tax revenues that would otherwise go to the County. The DDA uses these funds to enhance local business and our community. The City of Davison DDA is starting a Facade Match Program as part of their priorities to improve the community.
The City of Davison DDA will look at projects within the DDA District that need funding. These projects will help position the City of Davison toward becoming a great place to live, shop and work. The priorities are identified below and will be the basis from which proposed projects are selected and funded.
1. Facade Improvements- The DDA will utilize a portion of their funds to assist with improvements of building faces (facades) in need of repair or upgrade within the district.
2. Signage
3. Awnings
4. ADA – Accessibility
5. Exterior Lighting
Projects meeting or exceeding the scoring criteria driven by these priorities above could potentially qualify for project Matching Program Funds up to $5,000.00 to assist with the successful implementation of the project(s).
EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS –
1.Signage
2. Awnings
3. Accessibility (ramps, auto assist door openers, etc.)
4. Exterior Lighting that enhances the facade or necessary for signage
5. Painting (unless surfaces are previously unpainted)
6. Design accessories intended to be a permanent installation (flower boxes, etc)
7. A qualifying item of a phase of a larger project.
EXAMPLES OF NOT ELIGIBLE –
1. General maintenance (except for the repointing of masonry)
2. Interior improvements (except as required for one of the eligible items above)
3. Below grade projects
4. Mechanical/Electrical (except as required for one of the eligible items above)
5. Landscaping plants, shrubs, flowers etc.
6. Any project deemed to be outside the intent of the facade program.
7. Residing, painting or covering a brick surface/building. Exceptions may be allowed if appropriate reasons are presented in the submission.
Application Approval Process Overview
The DDA reviews all applications for assistance. The process outlined below usually takes at least 30 days, although more complex projects typically require more time to review and approve. The process involves two steps. First the Organization Committee will review application documents, the Committee will make a recommendation to the DDA full board. More specifically, the DDA will:
1. 1. Convene an initial meeting prior to formal submissions of the Facade Match Program Application. Interested parties are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the program.
2. Submission and review of Facade Match Program Application
a. The DDA requires the submission of a formal application for Facade Match Program in order to consider an applicant’s request for funds. DDA funds may only be used to pay for eligible costs in accordance with the Applicable Michigan Statues. An application must include the items referenced in the application checklist (see the enclosed application) and applicants are required to demonstrate the public benefit of the funds dispersed.
b. The submission will be reviewed by the DDA’s Organizational committee. Applications that are incomplete may be deemed ineligible to proceed further in the process.
3. The Organizational Committee will score the applications in accordance with the criteria.
4. The Organizational Committee will present the scores and recommendations to the DDA board who will vote for Approval of project funding.
5. Applicants that will receive funding will be notified.
6. Upon conclusion of projects with all documentation submitted, the DDA will payout funds.
7. One year after full completion of the project. Construction must start within six months of award and be completed six months after construction starts. A follow-up site visit will be conducted. 8. The DDA will be accepting applications until noon, Monday March 16, 2026. Tentative award approval at the DDA meeting in May 2026.
To apply please download the form from the above link, once complete submit no later then March 16th 2026 by sending an email to director@davisondda.org or returning to City of Davison DDA 200 East Flint Street, Ste. 2 Davison, Michigan 48423