HAGERSTOWN – The Hagerstown mayor and council reviewed a series of proposed changes Tuesday to the city’s sign, façade and fire suppression grant programs, signaling that an updated set of guidelines will be prepared for a vote next week.
The revisions, presented by Economic Development Specialist Chris Siemerling, aim to expand eligibility, simplify the application process and enhance support for property improvements throughout the broader downtown area.
The discussion focused on two Invest Hagerstown programs: the commercial sign and façade grant and the fire suppression systems grant, which supports life-safety improvements in older buildings.
Façade and sign grants: expansion to more properties and nonprofits
Chris Siemerling outlined several significant updates to the façade and sign grant program, beginning with an expansion of the eligible area. The grant would no longer be limited to the Main Street district but would be open to the full City Center Mixed Use zone, which includes a broader range of commercial and mixed-use properties.
The proposal would also make residential buildings eligible for assistance, not just commercial or mixed-use structures. Siemerling noted that other Maryland jurisdictions already extend similar grants to residential properties.
Another significant change would let nonprofits apply for the façade portion of the grant. Siemerling said this recommendation followed a review of funding gaps and community feedback. While nonprofits often have access to specialized grants, most of those programs do not permit funds to be used for exterior aesthetic improvements such as fresh paint, repaired windows or signage.
“In order to help line up the downtown as a whole, just having some kind of avenue that someone like the arts council might be able to apply for a mural or new signage makes sense,” Siemerling said. “Or a nonprofit might have a building where the windows are in disrepair, and they cannot get grant money elsewhere.”
Currently, the façade program is split into two different components, one for aesthetic improvements and one for promotional signage. Under the revised guidelines, both would remain available, but a broader range of organizations and property owners could qualify.
When asked about the program’s overall funding pool, Siemerling estimated the budget is typically around $25,000. It noted that façade grants are among the programs that usually leave money unspent in a typical year.
Fire suppression systems grant: larger awards and a single application
The city also reviewed proposed updates to its fire suppression systems grant, which helps owners comply with modern fire code requirements when renovating older buildings.
The most notable change would enable residential buildings to apply, particularly when converting a warehouse or industrial space into apartments. Siemerling informed the council that property owners have provided significant feedback, highlighting the high costs of installing sprinklers during redevelopment.
The second major update would increase the maximum award from $7,500 to $50,000, recognizing the high costs of modern fire safety systems. Instead of the current two-part funding for interior and exterior work, there would be a single, simplified grant up to $50,000.
“Purpose is simply to streamline it overall and truly help with any fire suppression needs someone has for their properties,” Siemerling said. However, nonprofits would not be eligible for this specific grant under the new guidelines, as Siemerling noted that they already have access to state programs that fund interior building modifications and safety upgrades.
By contrast, nonprofits have no similar funding streams for exterior façade improvements, which is why the façade and sign grant expansion treats them differently.
Next steps
Council members asked clarifying questions about terminology, eligibility definitions and funding categories, with one member requesting consistency in how the guidelines reference nonprofit applicants.
No objections were raised to the direction of the proposed changes. Siemerling said the revisions will be incorporated into updated guidelines and placed on the agenda for a vote at next week’s regular session.
