class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘project’
1 Comment Grants and Funding for Municipal Signs and Business Facade Upgrades
Your Sign Wish Might Be Granted
Over the years we have created many signs that were covered by Facade Upgrade programs, Community Improvement Plans, Tourism Grants and Sustainability Funds. These programs are often run through funding of a province, city, town or municipality. Occasionally the private sector offers grants as well if your project falls within their specifications. Below are explanations of these terms and examples of sign projects that we have been a part of because of the funding available at that time.
Facade Upgrade Programs
We have created several signs for clients through the City of Kitchener Facade Grant Program, but the most dramatic transformation of them all was the changes to the exterior of The Sports Link.
This beautification grant was created to revitalize the look of the Downtown Kitchener business core.
Community Improvement Plans
Community Improvement Plans, otherwise known as a CIP, often includes funding for signage. This year the Township of Mapleton is running a CIP and we are excited to see what it brings to the area.
Last year the City of Waterloo offered a CIP for members of the UpTown Waterloo BIA. For those not familiar with the term BIA, it refers to Business Improvement Area.
This year the City of Waterloo CIP includes the following projects
- intended to improve the appearance of the streetscape and buildings, while conserving heritage properties
- additional grant of up to $5,000 is available per building if the property is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
In fact, Rachel March the City of Waterloo’s Economic Development Coordinator had this to say
The City has a CIP study area that is slightly larger than the Uptown BIA area (see general program requirements link on the CIP page near the top). The CIP study area is the catchment area for the grants, rather than the uptown BIA area. However, for 2019 the Uptown BIA is offering to double the available grants to applicants who are BIA members for their Façade Improvement works. For example, normally the maximum FIG available is $10,000 (or $15,000 if you are a corner property). In order to receive this, you would have to spend at least $20,000 (or $30,000). The BIA bump up will double the grant to $20,000 and $30,000, however the applicant will have to spend $40,000 and $60,000 in façade improvements to receive this.
Info for this year’s City of Waterloo CIP can be found at https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/uptown-community-improvement-plan.aspx#Facade-improvement-grant
To further our knowledge about the Facade Improvement Grant in Waterloo Ontario we attended an information session. Below is a summary of what you can apply for during their SPRING application intake.
For the specifics regarding signs for this program, please email us sales@sign-depot.on.ca
PLEASE NOTE the deadline for applying for the Spring intake is in May 2019
We have also learned that the Downtown Cambridge BIA has launched a Signage and Decorative Lighting Improvement Grant.
In order to qualify for a Signage & Decorative Lighting Improvement Grant:
• Applicants must be a recognized BIA Member (Associate Members and other businesses do not qualify).
• Applicants may be eligible for one signage grant per storefront.
• Qualifying applicants may be eligible for a one-time grant of up to a maximum of $1,500 for a maximum of half (50%) of the value of an eligible signage and/or decorative lighting improvement.
• Projects must not have commenced prior to the awarding of the requested grant.
• Projects must be completed within six (6) months of the date of the signed grant application
• Eligible project costs must be actual cash outlay to third parties acting at arm’s length and which can be documented through original invoices or proofs of payment.
• Projects must demonstrate a contribution to the overall quality of the streetscape of the community.
• Signage projects must be permanently attached to the building facade.
For all the info about this grant visit https://www.downtowncambridgebia.ca/applications and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the download links
Tourism Grants
Last year we assisted the Municipality of East Ferris with their roadside signs. They received funding for this sign project through a Tourism Northern Ontario grant, and this year through Destination Northern Ontario partnership, they are adding additional signage.
Sustainability Funds
The City of Waterloo Park Services received funding for upgrades at Waterloo Park through the #TDCommonGround Sustainability Fund which included a new Pedestrian Entrance.
Steps to #StepUpYourSignage
As mentioned in post for 2019 projects, here at The Sign Depot we want you to #StepUpYourSignage and the financial assistance of a grant or fund could make it even easier. Here are 3 things to look for when deciding to advertise your business with custom signs.
- Is there sign grant or financial assistance fund available?
- Does your sign project fall within the parameters of the funding program?
- Does it also include coverage for the required sign permits?
Once you have the above questions answered, then we suggest you file your sign grant application right away. Often these opportunities will only accept a certain amount of applicants and they must be granted within an allotted time frame. After you have applied and been approved for your funding ,our sign experts are here to help make your sign wishes come true.
Recognize Your Community of Donors With Donor Recognition Signage
Donor Recognition
According to LIFT PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS there are 3 strategies for proper donor recognition.
- Thank them
- Recognize them
- Tell the story
Each of these areas can be covered by choosing unique signage for donor recognition. Recently we had the opportunity to fabricate a donor recognition sign structure for St. Paul’s University College, which is on the University of Waterloo Campus in Waterloo Ontario. This unique design was developed here at The Sign Depot with the assistance of ABA Architects, also located in the Region of Waterloo. This sign structure has become a focal point in the building and incorporates the 3 strategies listed above. First it thanks the donors for their community involvement. Second it recognizes each donor and their contribution to St. Paul’s and third the arch structure conveys the message of the donors lifting up St. Paul’s and incorporating their spirit into the building.
Below you can see the beginning stages of the sign on the layout drawings and the final installation.
As the donor recognition sign came together it was decided that the sign should light up as the students, professors and staff of St. Paul’s walk through the arch-way. This signals how important their donors are to them by making them take notice of all those who chose to donate to St. Paul’s.
Donor Recognition Walls and Signs
Whether you are part of a University, a Social Enterprise or a Not-For-Profit, making the effort to recognize your donors is a great way to keep in touch with them and their community involvement efforts. It may encourage them to become lifetime contributors to your organization. We can create unique displays of for donor recognition walls, commemorative plaques and memorial signs. Visit our CONTACT US page to connect directly with the Sign Depot designers to see how your donor recognition project can be implemented into your establishment.
Collaborative Sign Design – Cambridge Pallet
From Networking To Collaboration
Networking has always been a focus for The Sign Depot. Through networking we build great business relationships within our community. This is how the Cambridge Pallet reception sign came about. Through connecting with Jorge Meneses we were able to refer business back and forth between our companies and learn more about our interests outside of our companies as well. In fact we are now committee members for Movember KW, swap vacation stories and assist each other with community involvement fundraising events. Because we have gotten to know each other well throughout the years, when it came to creating a sign for Cambridge Pallet, it became a collaborative effort.
Sharing Sign Design Ideas
Jorge had let us know that Cambridge Pallet was looking for an interior sign for their office area. He envisioned steel letters in the reception area. We suggested to take it one step further and have a replica wood pallet added to the sign design. These sign ideas were put together to create a sign that reflects their company and their brand. While this might not be the exact definition of collaborative design, we feel that this was a great way to work together to create a unique 3 dimensional sign.
Building A Pallet Sign
To create the pallet sign we began with MDF board, which is a great material for interior signage. It was cut and assembled to replicate a wood pallet.
It was then finished to match the colour they use for their pallets. After the paint finish was complete, the text portion was added to the sign project. The brushed metal letters were pin mounted to the sign to create dimension.
Once the sign was fully assembled, our installers placed in the reception area of Cambridge Pallet. Since its arrival both staff and clients have remarked with how much they like the new sign and that it is a great representation of the company.
Build A Sign Around Your Brand
Whether you connect with in person at networking events or online through our social channels, we want to collaborate with you to create a sign that reflects your company and brand. Visit our CONTACT US page to get the process started.
Community Involvement – The Buddy Bench Project
Buddying Up With Our Community
Recently we were contacted by our local radio station 91.5 The Beat to see if we would be interested in their latest School Tour project. They were looking for a business that values community involvement to assist with their BUDDY BENCH initiative. We were glad they came to us and we could help with the project. This may have you wondering what we mean by “BUDDY BENCH” but we think the video below describes it best.
How A Buddy Bench Works
This 3 minute video is a great example of what a BUDDY BENCH can do. Many children often struggle with making friends, joining in and/or finding someone to talk to. The idea of putting a BUDDY BENCH in a school playground assists the children that need a little help in this area. They sit on the bench and a spotter will come and sit with them and strike up a conversation. This little engagement can do a lot to improve the mental health and/or self esteem in kids. It also assists with stopping bullying at school.
Bring On The Buddy Benches
91.5 The Beat is donating BUDDY BENCHES to 3 local schools. Together with our friends at Fiddlesheads and Cedarland Lumber we assisted them with this important community project.
Our involvement was to engrave the words BUDDY BENCH along with the sponsors names into the wooden bench. To do this we sandblasted the bench pieces to carve into the wood. Yesterday the first bench was donated to a local school and as you can see it was all smiles when it was received.
Proud to donate this “Buddy Bench” to #MillenWoodsPS – All thanks to @Fiddleheads_HN @TheSignDepot & @CedarlandLumber for making this happen 😁🙌 pic.twitter.com/dMKOCMUYWw
— 91.5 The Beat (@915theBeat) May 10, 2018
Thank you @915theBeat for your lovely donation of the Buddy Bench for @MillenWoods. Everyone deserves to have a friend. See someone sitting alone? Go say HI. 👋🏼 Be their buddy. 😊 #WRDSBlive pic.twitter.com/nsLL9ZAEa0
— Waterloo Region DSB (@wrdsb) May 10, 2018
Sandblasting wood is something we have been doing for over 25 years. If you want more info about our sandblasted wood signs please visit our portfolio and if you see something you are interested in please CONTACT US!
