Exterior Improvement Program

Program Guidelines

Applicants are encouraged to read the full Program Guidelines document before applying. 

Eligibility & Requirements

Eastham business and commercial property owners are eligible to apply for this program. Applicants must clearly demonstrate their ability to complete the proposed work within one year of the funding award. Incomplete applications and/or those lacking the required attachments will not be considered.

 The following are eligible categories of improvement projects under the Exterior Improvement Program: 

• Outdoor Seating/Dining Improvements
• Infrastructure for Outdoor Dining/Seating (i.e., health code compliance, ADA accessibility)
• Exterior Painting and/or Siding
• Landscaping and/or Planter Boxes
• Parking Lot Improvements
• Walkways
• Decorative Features (i.e., shutters, awnings)
• Restoration of Historical/Architectural Attributes

Funding Amount

This program offers a maximum award amount of $25,000 per applicant, with up to $125,000 in total award funding available for Fiscal Year 2023. Awarded applicants are required to supply a funding match equivalent to 20% of the total project cost.

Review Process, Criteria, and More

Wondering how your application will be scored and evaluated for funding? Before applying, we recommend you read our full Program Guidelines document, which includes information on the program review process, all review criteria, and more important details.

Program Application

Opens September 15, 2022. Applications Due by Close of Business Friday, October 21, 2022.

Exterior Improvement Program Application(Fillable PDF)

Applications may be submitted in any of the following formats: 

• Electronically in PDF form, with all attached documents, to economicplanner@eastham-ma.gov
• By mail to: 2500 State Highway, Eastham MA 02642 (ATTN: Community Development Department)
• In-Person to Eastham Town Hall at: 2500 State Highway, Eastham MA 02642. Please note, Town Hall closes at NOON on Fridays. Those planning to submit an application in-person should plan ahead to ensure the submission can be delivered during Town Hall business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

This list of frequently asked questions will be updated throughout the application period. If your question is not addressed below, please contact the Community Development Department at (508) 240-5900, ext. 3231.

Am I eligible to apply for this program?

If you own a business or commercial property in Eastham, you are eligible to apply for this program! You do not have to own the property where your business is located in order to apply. However, if you are not the property owner, you will be required to submit a signed permission letter or memo from the property owner (or an authorized representative) with your application, along with a copy of your current lease/rental agreement. Be sure to thoroughly read the Program Guidelines and closely follow all application instructions. 

Applicants must clearly demonstrate their ability to complete the proposed work within one year of the funding award. Incomplete applications and/or those lacking the required attachments will not be considered.

What are the application dates and deadlines?

The application will be made available through the Town website beginning September 15, 2022, with all applications due by close of business (4 PM) Friday, October 21, 2022. 

JUST ANNOUNCED! Town staff from the Community Development Department will host a series of info sessions for businesses interested in applying for this program. Session dates and details are available under the "Key Dates" tab on this page, as well as on the Town events calendar. If you missed the scheduled info sessions, you can view the full set of slides here, or contact Lauren Barker, Economic Development Planner, to arrange an individual info session at a time that is convenient for you.

How do I submit an application?

Access the application form on the Town website. Applications may be submitted in any of the following formats: 

• Electronically in PDF form, with all attached documents, to economicplanner@eastham-ma.gov
• By mail to: 2500 State Highway, Eastham MA 02642 (ATTN: Community Development Department)
• In-Person to Eastham Town Hall at: 2500 State Highway, Eastham MA 02642. Please note, Town Hall closes at NOON on Fridays. Those planning to submit an application in-person should plan ahead to ensure the submission can be delivered during Town Hall business hours.

How much funding is available?

This program offers a maximum award amount of $25,000 per applicant, with up to $125,000 in total award funding available for the first year of the program (application cycle beginning September 2022). Note that awarded applicants are required to supply a funding match of 20% of the total project cost.

How is this program funded?

During the first year (2022-23), the Exterior Improvement Program will be funded entirely through Eastham's local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

The following are eligible categories of improvement projects under the Exterior Improvement Program:

• Outdoor Seating/Dining Improvements
• Infrastructure for Outdoor Dining/Seating (i.e., health code compliance, ADA accessibility)
• Exterior Painting and/or Siding
• Landscaping and/or Planter Boxes
• Parking Lot Improvements
• Walkways
• Decorative Features (i.e., shutters, awnings)
• Restoration of Historical/Architectural Attributes

What documentation do I need to apply?

• Proof of property ownership OR signed letter/memo from the property owner authorizing project
• Copy of current lease showing term of at least one year from application date (if applicable)
• Photo(s) showing current conditions of the façade, building exterior, and/or project focus area 
• Sketch or rendering of proposed façade improvements (this can be hand-drawn by the applicant)
• Contractor estimates from applicant’s contractor(s) of choice. Applicants are required to submit at least one estimate for each project work item. Estimates must include contractor business name, address, and contact information, along with a detailed description of work.

Who decides how funding is awarded?

There are several levels of review built into this program in order to ensure that project applications are evaluated fairly and thoroughly. The review and award process is scheduled to begin once the application closes (October 2022) and will be completed by December 2022.

1. The funding review process begins with a preliminary internal review of all applications by a team of Town staff. Depending on the nature of the project, this preliminary review team may consist of department representatives from Community Development, Health & Environment, the Town Clerk’s Office, Police, Fire, DPW, and/or the Town Administrator. During this stage, applications are reviewed for completeness, program eligibility, and technical feasibility. 
2. Next, applications are forwarded to the Application Review Committee, which is comprised of five individuals: two Town staff members from the Community Development Department, a Select Board representative, and two at-large business community representatives. For this first year of the program, members of the Application Review Committee will be: Lauren Barker, Town of Eastham Economic Development Planner; Paul Lagg, Town of Eastham Community Development Director; Art Autorino, Eastham Select Board; Pam Anderson, Community Development Partnership; Jim Russo, Eastham Chamber of Commerce. The Application Review Committee will evaluate and rate applications based on a set of established criteria. Applicants are advised to review the Program Guidelines document for a sample of the evaluation worksheet to be used by the Review Committee.
3. The highest scoring project applications will be presented to the Eastham Planning Board, with a recommendation for funding through the Exterior Improvement Program. Funding awards will be announced by the Eastham Select Board at a regular meeting of the Board. 

How will my application be evaluated?

All applicants should consult the Program Guidelines document for a full list of evaluation criteria and a sample scoresheet to be used by the Application Review Committee. See below for an overview of criteria to be used during the review process.

Preliminary Review Criteria (Step 1) 

1. Completed application –all application fields have been completed by the applicant and competitive estimates for each proposed work item are included 
2. Property ownership/permission –the applicant has provided proof of property ownership or a letter stating permission from owner to complete the proposed work 
3. Project cost and demonstration of required match –the project cost falls under the $25,000 per applicant maximum, and the applicant has demonstrated ability and willingness to contribute 20% of the total project cost 
4. Eligible improvement –the proposed improvement project is included on the list of eligible improvements for the Exterior Improvement Program 

Application Review Criteria (Step 2) 

1. Ability to complete the proposed project: provides a detailed plan for project method, staffing, materials, and management, resulting in the timely completion of proposed work. 
2. Alignment with the Town’s Strategic and/or Economic Priorities as described in the Eastham 5-Year Strategic Plan, Market Study, or LRRP Study.
3. Potential for General Community and/or Economic Impact: a) increase revenue for the applicant business; b) improve commercial property value for the applicant and/or neighboring properties; c) create opportunities for local workforce; d) includes opportunities for advancing social, economic, and environmental equity 
4. Potential for Visual/Aesthetic Impact: a) restoration of attributes of historical/architectural significance b) improvements to highly visible elements of the building/property; c) the property itself is in a prominent or highly visible location 
5. Potential for Increasing Voluntary Compliance with Local Zoning Regulations: a) removal/reduction of curb cuts along Route 6 and/or creation of shared access with neighboring properties; b) reduction of parking in front of property; c) adherence to previously approved landscaping plans or minimum landscaping requirements; d) compliance with building design standards, as described in zoning bylaw section 3.8.5.5.4; e) elimination of pre-existing non-conforming structural components; f) any other improvement that increases local zoning compliance 

What documents can I use to prove ownership of my business property?

Applicants may submit one of the following as a valid proof of business property ownership:

• Town of Eastham Property Tax Bill
• Mortage Statement (last 30 days)

Businesses that do NOT own the property where their business is located (i.e., tenant businesses) must attach a copy of a current lease with a term of at least 1-year AND a signed letter/memo from the property owner authorizing the proposed project.

How are funds for this program disbursed? What if my contractor of choice requires a deposit?

Funding for awarded applicants will be issued via direct-pay to the contractor(s) completing the project work. Project invoices must be submitted to the Town of Eastham and are payable upon completion of the work (estimated net 30). Please note, the Town of Eastham is NOT able to pay any project overages beyond the approved/awarded amount. The Town is also NOT able to pay deposits to contractors prior to work being completed. If your contractor of choice requires a deposit, it is recommended that you use that opportunity to contribute the required 20% project match.