Action Brown County, with support from the Tracy Family Foundation, is offering grants to help local retail, food/drink, and experience-based businesses enhance visibility and attract more customers. Building on the success of the Façade Improvement Program, this initiative encourages the installation of custom “blade” signs that extend perpendicular to storefronts—adding charm, promoting walkability, and boosting brand recognition in Mount Sterling’s uptown district.

Alternative signage options are available for businesses with larger properties. There is no application deadline; grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are fully distributed.

 

eligibility

  • Applicants must be owners and/or tenants of existing commercial buildings within the Mount Sterling Business Corridors (see map)

  • Funding will initially be available for businesses in Phase 1. If funding remains, funding may be available for businesses in Phase 2.

  • Retail, food/drink, and experiential businesses will be given priority for this funding, but funding for other types of businesses may be considered if funding remains.

  • Tenant applicants must submit written permission of the building owner to proceed with the project.

  • The structure must not be under consideration for demolition.

  • New businesses must be open with regular hours for at least two months to apply.

  • Applicants must not have an outstanding balance on any payments owed to the City of Mount Sterling or Brown County.

  • Only one grant will be awarded per business every 5 years.

eligibile expenses

  • Design

  • Fabrication

  • Installation

  • Permits and associated fees

Ineligibile expenses

  • In-kind labor and/or materials

  • Any project expenses incurred prior to the Mount Sterling Business Signage Program award

AMOUNT

This program will fund 90% of an approved project up to $2,000 for a business without a parking lot. This program will fund 90% of an approved project up to $4,000 for a business with a parking lot. Funding is limited.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

To ensure quality, signs must be:

  • Constructed of durable material

  • Professionally crafted

Signs cannot include:

  • Internal lighting (however, external “gooseneck” style lighting is allowed and is an eligible grant expense)

  • Fluorescent colors

  • Reader-boards or electronic messaging systems

  • Vinyl banners or other signage on a flexible substrate

COMPLIANCE

The design must be reviewed and approved by the ABC Signage Advisory Committee.

Potential Vendors

Classique Signs
1702 Harrison Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 228-7446
https://www.classiqueinc.com/

Griffin Signs
2084 US-24
Camp Point, IL 62320
(217) 509-7446

Application process

  1. Review these Guidelines and contact ABC Staff to discuss potential project.

    Alex Geisler, ABC Executive Director; alex@actionbrowncounty.org

  2. Consult sign vendor, discuss sign design, and obtain a quote.

  3. Complete application linked below.

  4. Return completed application, plans, cost estimates and construction schedules to ABC Staff for review by the ABC Signage Advisory Committee. You may be asked to meet with the Committee to discuss the project, and changes may be suggested or required to receive funding.

  5. The ABC Signage Advisory Committee will decide whether to approve the application. If not approved, the ABC Signage Advisory Committee will explain the reasons for rejection and what, if any, steps can be taken to receive approval.