Litchfield Hills Facade Improvement Program
 Applications are now being accepted for the Litchfield Hills Facade Improvement Program. The first round of applications are due by November 1, 2007.
Click to download application and program brochure.
Program Purpose
The Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials established the Litchfield Hills Facade Improvement Program to:
- Strengthen the economic vitality of the region's businesses
- Improve and beautify the exterior appearance of storefronts and commercial buildings
- Preserve the architectural heritage of the region's business buildings.
Financing Description
The LHFIP rebates 50% of the cost of approved exterior building facade and site improvements for the first $30,000 of improvement, with a 20% rebate for additional project expenses up to a maximum project cost of $100,000. The maximum rebate that can be provided for a single application is $29,000.
Funding for rebates is provided by a grant from the CT Department of Economic and Community Development. (DECD)
The balance of rehabilitation project expenses may be supplied by the applicant's own resources or through a bank loan.
Eligible Renovation Expenses
- Exterior facade improvements - signs, doors, painting, storefronts, awnings, lighting, masonry cleaning/repair, etc.
- Exterior site improvements (when done in conjunction with facade work) - landscaping, lighting, pedestrian amenities and parking lots.
- Professional fees for architecture, design, and engineering services.
Note: Rehabilitation expenses incurred prior to application submittal and review are not eligible.
Design Guidelines
Torrington has established design guidelines to encourage high quality storefront renovation and historic preservation. Each application will be reviewed for consistency with those design guidelines.
Eligible Applicants
- Owners or tenants of existing commercially owned structures located in one of the two participating towns.
- Private, non-profit organizations which own or use a building whose use is consistent with local revitalization goals.
- Note: Properties that are exclusively residential in nature, home-based business that are not assessed for commercial use, municipal buildings, and religious institutions are not eligible.
Overview of Application and Payment Process
- Interested business/property owners can download an application here.
- Applicant prepares and submits application form to the Torrington FIP Committee.
- The Torrington FIP Committee meets to review application, and makes recommendation to the Regional FIP Committee.
- Regional FIP Committee notifies applicant of approval, approval with minor conditions, or denial as presented.
- Once application is approved, applicant commences renovation project.
- Applicant provides documentation that the renovation expenses are paid (copy of cancelled check and final waiver of lien and claim).
- Torrington FIP Committee meets to review project accounting and recommends a final rebate to the Regional FIP Committee.
- Regional FIP Committee meets to review final paperwork and authorize distribution of money to business.
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