The Door County Small Business Façade and Property Improvement Program offers financial assistance to help rehabilitate and upgrade commercial buildings throughout Door County. This grant program is designed to support local business owners in enhancing the appearance and functionality of their properties, contributing to the economic vitality and aesthetic appeal of our communities.
The first round of this program is closed.
The first round of this program has closed.
For more information or for pre-application consultation,
please contact DCEDC Executive Director Michelle Lawrie at michelle@doorcountybusiness.com or 920.743.3113 x 1.
• Download a PDF of the Program Guidelines by clicking HERE
The Door County Small Business Façade and Property Improvement Program is a competitive application process for which businesses throughout Door County with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees are eligible. The program focuses on façade and other external property improvements which will strengthen businesses, including the potential to attract customers and contribute to long-term growth, as well as positively impact the surrounding community.
Program Details
• The program consists of a total of $250,000.
• The awards through the program will consist of grants of up to $10,000 each.
• Grants may cover up to 80% of the total project costs.
• Strongest consideration will be given to applications for projects that most clearly demonstrate significant improvements which create a positive impact on both the business property and surrounding area.
• Payments will be made upon completion of the approved project.
• Projects initiated before receiving a grant award notification will not be eligible for reimbursement.
• All awarded projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant award notification. Specific deadlines for project completion will be outlined in the award letter.
The program is open to owners or tenants of commercial or industrial buildings located in Door County. Applicants must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. Tenants must obtain the signature and approval of the building owner to apply.
Eligible Costs
Grant-eligible expenses may include improvements such as:
• Attached signage
• Building entrances
• Lighting
• Doors and windows
• Awnings
• Exterior materials like brick, stone, and tuck-pointing
• Art murals and other aesthetic upgrades to the building surface
Ineligible Costs
The following improvements are not eligible for reimbursement:
• Site improvements (e.g., parking lots, paving, planters, and planting areas)
• Detached signage
• Fencing and railings
• Roof repairs
• Pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks and benches
These expenses may count as the applicant’s contribution to the project but will not be reimbursed through the grant. Additionally, any work completed before the grant is awarded will not be eligible for funding.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee of professionals with expertise in community development, business growth, and local engagement. The selection criteria include:
• Thoroughness and Completeness of the Application: Applications will be reviewed to ensure they address all required components.
• Potential Business Enhancement: The committee will evaluate how the proposed project could strengthen the business, including its potential to improve operations, attract customers, and contribute to long-term growth.
• Potential Impact on the Community: The committee will consider the potential for the proposed improvements to positively impact the surrounding community.
The first round of applications will follow the timeline below. Multiple rounds of applications may be warranted, depending upon the number and quality of applications received.
• Application Period Opens: April 30, 2025
• Application Deadline: 5:00 pm on June 9, 2025
• Award Notification: June 23, 2025
The first round of this program has closed.
Ready to discover the opportunities Door County has to offer you and your businesses?
MWS Associates has leased office space in the Business Center since the inception of our company in 2018 and from 2015-2018 with the previous company that I worked for. The Business Center was the clear choice for us to locate our main office for several reasons: location, cost effectiveness, reliable high-speed internet, services offered and full access to the conference room. It truly offers everything our company needs to headquarter our business from without the hassle of owning our own office building with the maintenance, yard care and snowplowing that goes along with ownership.
A major benefit for us is the ability to host in-person and online meetings in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art conference room. COVID changed many aspects of our business with a major increase in online meetings being one of them. Many companies struggled with technology issues to host or participate in online meetings with poor audio, video quality, background noise and unprofessional business settings negatively affecting meetings. The size, layout and quality of the A/V equipment of the conference room now allows us to host annual company-wide in-person meetings as well. Every October we bring our entire staff in from around the country for weeklong meetings and the conference room comfortably allows us to host 20+ people. The setting also allows us to host on-site meetings with key accounts. Clients appreciate being able to combine a business trip with bringing their family to enjoy a few extra days to experience all Door County has to offer.
Jeff Bruemmer joined DCEDC in July of 2001. Jeff is responsible for maintaining the DCEDC Business Center, located at 185 East Walnut Street in Sturgeon Bay. Jeff was born and raised in Kewaunee and moved to Sturgeon Bay in 1985.
Kathy Lasee is responsible for the organization’s financial operations, as well as the operations of the Business Development Center in Sturgeon Bay. A Door County native, Lasee graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Lasee is a charter member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band and previously worked as a music teaching assistant for the Sturgeon Bay School District. Prior to joining DCEDC in October of 2023, Lasee was the Office Manager of Kevin’s Automotive in Sturgeon Bay. During her professional career, she also worked in the loan office at Baylake Bank (now Nicolet National Bank) in Sturgeon Bay.
Devin Vandertie enjoys working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help foster economic growth in Door County. She is also passionate about helping nurture the next generation of the community’s workforce. Devin has recently earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is involved with Leadership Door County, which brings together professionals from diverse business sectors who are inspired to make a positive impact on the quality of life in Door County. A Door County native, Vandertie cares deeply about cultivating a community that is not only a desirable destination, but also an exceptional place to live and to work. In addition to her recent achievement of a master’s degree, Devin is a graduate of Southern Door High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to joining the DCEDC staff in October of 2023, Vandertie was the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.
Michelle Lawrie has more than twenty years of experience in economic development at regional and local levels. Michelle’s career in Washington, D.C., Arizona and Wisconsin has focused on serving the public interest through economic development, issue advocacy and coalition-building. Michelle began her economic development career at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), in Phoenix, Arizona. After serving in several roles at GPEC, Michelle became the President and CEO of the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) in western Maricopa County, Arizona. Michelle later also served as Economic Development / Community Development Director for the communities of Goodyear, Arizona and DeForest, Wisconsin. Michelle has extensive experience working in development of strategies and performance measures for communities and organizations, as well as leading teams toward achieving goals desired by communities, businesses and residents. Michelle is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.