Harlingen Incentives and Grants
Downtown Business

Harlingen has a rich downtown business area, and the city has invested more than $10 million into the area to make it a premiere shopping destination in South Texas.

There are wonderful places to eat and many great antique stores and thrift shops with home furnishings, jewelry, artwork and collectibles. Downtown Harlingen also stays active within the community, with many businesses participating in the monthly Jackson Street Market Days, an open-air street market featuring antiques, art, collectibles, plants, fresh produce, live music and more.

To help property owners and businesses improve the overall image and enhance economic vitality in Harlingen's Downtown, matching grants are available in the following areas:

Signage:
50/50 matching basis. Maximum amount is $2,500.
Plastic-face signs, vinyl lettering, plastic lettering, and neon signs are encouraged. All proposed signs must comply with the City of Harlingen's sign ordinance.

Storefront / Exterior:
$150 per front footage, on a 50/50 matching basis. Maximum amount is $6,000. Improvements such as awnings, sidewalk repairs, painting, murals, installation of new doors and windows and other improvements. Roof repairs and replacement of broken glass in windows or doors are not eligible improvements.

Fire Safety:
50/50 matching basis. Maximum amount is $15,000.

Fire separation improvements in multistory buildings and/or improvements to enhance building egress to meet fire codes. Any funding proposals for fire safety improvements will be considered only after they have been approved by the City building department.

Security Enhancement:
50/50 matching basis.  Maximum grant amount is $2,000. 

Minimum requirements are:
Surveillance system must have a DVR capable of internal storage of at least one week of images at 30fps/ICIF.  System must provide adequate coverage of the exterior of the business, including street and alley views.  Outdoor cameras (weather and vandal-resistant) to provide day/night operation with illumination of at least 40’.  Applicants must submit a diagram of proposed camera placement with their application, and must sign an agreement stipulating that all equipment purchased with a security enhancement grant is to be considered a leasehold improvement and must remain with the property henceforth. Grant recipients must post signs indicating “surveillance in use.”

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis each fiscal year.

The total grant awards for any property are limited to $15,000 per fiscal year, from any combination of grant funds (sign, storefront, fire enhancement, security enhancement).

To apply for Downtown Incentive programs, contact:

Cheryl LaBerge Downtown Manager Downtown District 210 South F. Street Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 216-4910 cheryllaberge@myharlingen.us

Send Correspondence P.O. Box 2207 Harlingen, TX 78551

All projects must be completed within 90 days, or the grant recipient must return to the downtown board to request an extension.