APPLY HERE
Complete our pre-application to start the grant process. You’ll hear from us within 2 weeks for next steps.
Contact us
- Jacob Alexander, Business Development Specialist, Department of Community Investment, (574) 235-9278, jalexand@service-admin
- Amy Paul, Business Development Manager, Department of Community Investment, (574) 235-7638, apaul@southbendin.gov
Grant amounts
Vibrant Places is a citywide program with increased incentives based on the location of your business and the elements of your project. You must complete the project and contribute your private match before grant funds are issued to you.
Actual grant amounts depend on the specific elements of a project and may not equal the maximum amounts.
Businesses located in one of the following corridors are eligible for an increased maximum:
- Lincoln Way West: between LaSalle Avenue and west city limits (near Maplewood Ave.)
- Indiana Avenue: between Pulaski Street and Main Street
- Linden Avenue: between Walnut Street and Olive Street
- Miami Street: between Lincoln Way East and Altgeld Street
- Michigan Street: between Bronson Street and Donmoyer Avenue
- Mishawaka Avenue: between Eddy Street and Logan Street
- Portage Avenue: between Diamond Avenue/Angela Boulevard and Kinyon Street
- Elwood Avenue from Portage Avenue to Wilber Street
- Western Avenue: between William Street and west city limits (near Mayflower Road)
Map of the corridors
Zoom in or adjust the map to view eligible corridors. You can also view the map in another window.
Note that businesses located in downtown South Bend may be referred to the DTSB Exterior Enhancement Grant Program administered by Downtown South Bend (DTSB).
Standard grants
| Grant Share (of total standard project(s) cost) | 50% |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Corridors | $80,000 (50% of a $160,000+ project) |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Citywide | $30,000 (50% of a $60,000 + project) |
| Minimum Grant Amount | $1,500 (50% of a $3,000 project) |
| Minimum Private Investment | $1,500 |
Sustainable bonus grants
| Grant Share (of total standard project(s) cost) | 70% |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Corridors* | $112,000 (70% of a $160,000+ project) |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Citywide | $42,000 (70% of a $60,000 + project) |
Actual grant amounts depend on the specific elements of a project and may not equal the maximum amounts outlined above.
In addition to providing support for exterior improvements through the Standard Grant, the City of South Bend can provide funding for a project that includes environmentally friendly elements.
Projects that meet the criteria for advanced sustainability benefits are eligible for additional funding above and beyond the base funding of 50%.
When the sustainability bonus is added to an eligible item, the grant share for that item can increase to 70 percent.
$112,000 would be the maximum grants if all items in a project meet the advanced sustainability criteria.
See the specifications for sustainability bonus grant projects here.
SUNpowered (solar) bonus grants
| Grant Share: Corridors* | 25% |
| Grant Share: Citywide | 15% |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Corridors* | $30,000 (25% of a $120,000 + project) |
| Maximum Grant Amount: Citywide | $20,000 (15% of a $133,333 + project) |
The grant amount will be calculated using the total cost for solar panels and battery backup (if applicable).
For both solar panels and battery storage systems, you are encouraged to claim the federal Investment Tax Credit. The federal Investment Tax Credit provides a non-refundable credit you can count towards your federal tax burden worth a percentage of the total installation cost of your battery system. You can file for the tax credit when you file your taxes for the year the panels and/or battery was installed. Due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the tax credit is 30% for 2022 and will remain at 30% until 2033.
Please note that if you are in a certain subsection of the downtown area, due to the design of the downtown electrical grid, your system will not be allowed to export excess energy to the grid. Please see Appendix D for the geographic boundaries.
The grant is structured as a reimbursement program.
You must complete the project and contribute your private match before grant funds are issued to you.
Actual grant amounts depend on the specific elements of a project and may not equal the maximum amounts outlined above.
As a condition of receiving this solar incentive funding, you agree to share 12 months of utility data with the City before solar panel installation and after installation.
The Vibrant Places Matching Grant Program includes additional incentives for businesses to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage systems. Solar PV panels generate electricity without burning fossil fuels or contributing to climate change.