Accommodations Tax Program
The application period for the 2024-25 Accommodations Tax Program is now closed. We will update the website when the next round becomes available.
Façade Improvement Grant Program
The City of West Columbia’s Façade Improvement Grant (WCFIG) has been designed to encourage enhancement and investment in the overall revitalization of West Columbia. This program provides grant funds to finance exterior improvements to a property owner’s or tenant’s commercial building that will be aesthetically pleasing and complementary to local design guidelines. The eligible areas for this program are the commercial corridors (see map).
The program provides for a one-time reimbursement, up to $10,000 maximum, per building. There are two tiers of funding levels. Businesses spending up to $9,999 in improvements can be provided with a 50/50 reimbursement totaling up to $2,500 maximum. Businesses spending $10,000 and above in improvements can be provided with a 50/50 reimbursement totaling up to $10,000 maximum. Only eligible façade improvements will be considered for funding.
Eligible Expenditures/Activities: Façade renovation activities must involve the general upgrading of a building’s external appearance. Façade program funding is to be used for permanent exterior visual improvements to storefronts and is not to be used for structural repairs. Permanent exterior improvements that are eligible include:
• Masonry repairs and tuck-pointing
• Repair/replace/preserve (including the exposure and cleaning) historically significant architectural details
• Storefront modification or reconstruction
• Cornice repair & exterior trim work
• Exterior painting and repairs to the finishes of original buildings
• Awnings and canopies
• Window and door repair or replacement
• Permanent exterior signage
• Permanent exterior lighting
• Repair/replacement of gutters and downspouts
• Decking and stairs
• Window bar removal
• Parking Lots
• Side and rear building façades where improvements will serve to remove blight
*West Columbia Facade Application
*Guidelines
*Map of Commercial Corridors
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination, in part, on the basis of national origin in the delivery of services or benefits funded by the Federal government. Under this law, federally assisted programs must ensure their activities normally provided in English are accessible to LEP persons and thus do not discriminate on the basis of national origin in violation of Title VI’s prohibition against national origin discrimination. Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with LEP,” was signed on August 11, 2000, provides further direction, requiring that Federal agencies provide meaningful access to federally assisted programs and activities for LEP persons. In addition, the Order requires that Federal agencies create plans to provide LEP persons with meaningful access to federally conducted programs and activities.
In August 2000, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance for agencies to follow in creating plans to make Federal services, activities, and programs accessible for LEP persons. The guidance provided four factors for agencies to consider when developing their LEP plans. These factors were: (1) the number of LEP persons in the eligible service population or likely to be encountered in recipient activities and programs; (2) the frequency with which LEP persons come into contact with the program; (3) the importance of the service or information provided by the program; and (4) the resources available to the recipient of Federal funds.
Notice to the Public of Rights Under Title VI
