Supporting Innovative Growth through New Signage (SIGNS)

Recognizing that downtown buildings are key community assets that are essential to growing economic development in rural communities, the Kansas Department of Commerce has created the SIGNS grant to improve the attractiveness of downtown retail and commercial business storefront signs. The purpose of this program is to encourage property owners or business tenants to design and install high-quality, creative, and interesting signs that add to the vitality, livability, and overall welcoming atmosphere of a rural downtown commercial district, while following standard sign guidelines that will support the long-term aesthetics and historical character of Kansas downtowns.

The goal of this program is to provide matching funding and design support that will enhance sign character and visual appeal for locally owned retail and commercial businesses that is symbolic and unique to the business while maintaining historical character of the building and the commercial district. 

• Total Available Funding: $250,000
• Grant Per One-Time Project: $1,000-$50,000
• Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the projects by providing a minimum cash match of 50% if the population is less than 50,000 but more than 2,500 population, or 25% cash match if a community has less than 2,500 population. In-kind contributions are eligible but will only increase the match contribution above the minimum match cash contribution requirement. 
  • Community-wide improvement Projects: Minimum $1,000 – Maximum $50,000 – Intended to support multiple buildings and/or businesses in a downtown or multiple downtowns in a region. Applicant can be a municipality, Main Street Organization, Economic Development, Chamber, Foundation, Tribal Organization, or group of businesses with one project lead.  Must complete at least 3 or more signs on 3 or more different businesses. 

• This grant must be utilized by a business, building owner or community (a municipal, foundation, Chamber, Main Street, Economic Development or other non-profit community-based entity).
• Chain businesses are not eligible for this program.

*Applicants must work with their local municipality or property owner and be permitted to create art on the proposed structure. Documentation of this permission will be required for the application. Applicants need to check with their local government about requirements.

The SIGNS grant can be used toward the design, purchase, lighting and installation of a commercial sign in a downtown of a rural community. Eligible costs include design, purchase, lighting and electrical, and installation of the sign (including mortar work where sign will be adhered). Grant administration costs up to 10% of the grant award are eligible.

• Building signs: A building sign is attached to the exterior of the building. A building sign can be attached flat on the storefront or facade of the building or can be a Blade Sign, which is a projecting sign perpendicular to the building. Pole signs that are historic or being restored are eligible.
• Sign lighting: Exterior lighting that is installed specifically to illuminate a new sign installed under this sign grant program can be included as an eligible cost as part of a sign package.
• Awning signs: Any type of graphic or text that is permanently affixed or incorporated into a storefront awning is eligible for the program. The awning is an eligible expense.
• Painted wall signs: A form of signage where the business name, logo, or advertisement is painted directly onto the exterior surface of a building. The painted wall sign must be an upgrade of previous signage. Wall signs must also include a lighting element

• Façade improvements, window replacements, interior improvements, temporary signage, sign maintenance, billboards/marketing signs, etc.
• Sign grants will NOT be given to internally lit panel signs, standard corporate franchise signs, signs that are not completed by a sign professional or signs that simply replace existing signs with no change in the design or materials.
• Government offices, residences and home businesses are not eligible for a sign under this grant.

• Applicants who lease their space must provide a letter providing permission from the building owner to apply for the grant. The letter must indicate awareness of the rules and requirements of the program.
• Applicants and intended sign recipients must have all property taxes to the City and State be paid in-full to date.
• The sign must be completed and installed within six months of receiving approval of the grant.
• Under the SIGNS grant program, preference will be given to signs that are three-dimensional, as well as made and installed by a Kansas business.
• Signs and awnings design should follow the Kansas Main Street Sign Guidelines.
• The Design Committee may deny a sign incentive to any applicant that does not make recommended changes to their sign after a first review.
• Nonconforming signage on property, if applicable, must be permanently removed as part of the improvement.
• Applicants must comply with all State and local laws and regulations pertaining to licensing, permits, building code and zoning requirements. Permitting must be obtained prior to grant funds being disbursed (if applicable).

This was a rolling round of grants, with funds available on a first-come, first-served basis. At this time, all funds have been allocated.

Please stay tuned for announcements regarding the next round of funding.

Signs are a part of the appearance of the building and, therefore, should be designed for an appropriate location on the building. Signs should be in one or more of the traditional locations and designed to be read by pedestrians and/or slow-moving automobiles. Counting a double-sided blade sign as one sign there should not be more than three types of signs on a front façade of a business.

Traditional locations for signs on historic, commercial downtown buildings include:

• The valance panel (vertical section or end) of a traditional canvas awning; large lettering, logos or signs on the sloping part of the canopy are discouraged.
• On the window glass or door glass;
• Mounted flush to the building facade in the panel above the awning or transom windows, the transom windows or transom panel itself; if signs are on a transom window, they should be individual letters and not significantly obscure the transom glass. (Signs should not not cover more than 25% of the transom glass.)
• Or a small projecting sign or blade sign oriented to pedestrians and mounted below the top of the transom. Blade signs may be double sided.
• The valance panel (vertical section or end) of a traditional canvas awning; large lettering, logos or signs on the sloping part of the canopy are discouraged.

1. Where possible, align signs with other signs on adjacent buildings.
2. If a building has a historic sign, it should be preserved or incorporated into the storefront’s new identification and signage whenever possible.
3. Generally, wood, metal, glass and some polymers are the best base materials for painted signs. (Vacuum formed plastic signs and plastic bubble letters are not allowed. Higher quality CNC cut acrylic and injection molded plastic will be considered.)
4. Sign colors should complement the colors of the building and are limited to three colors.
5. Signs should not be located in the upper facade of the building.
6. Signs should fit within the existing features of the facade. They should not cover up architectural details on the building.
7. Window and door signs should not obscure the display areas of visibility. Permanent window and door signs should not occupy more than 25% of the total glass area on which they are displayed. Such signs should complement other signs on the facade. Signage, wraps or graphics that totally fill the display windows of a business are not allowed.
8. Display the hours that the business is open within the design of the door or window sign.
9. Signs should be clear, concise and easily read. The message should be kept to a minimum, so it is quickly read.
10. Signs cannot be mounted on roofs.
11. Awnings can serve as signs with contrasting letters painted or sewn onto the valance. 6” to 8” letters are sufficient. Large lettering, logos or signs on the sloping part of the canopy are prohibited.
12. The building sign shall be affixed flat against the face of the building as opposed to perpendicular and/or double-faced. Large projecting signs are not allowed.
13. A flush-mounted sign board may extend the width of the storefront between the side piers, but may not be more than 2 ½ ft. high. The sign should be mounted somewhere above the storefront.
14. This grant will not cover any signs that flash or move. No video boards; this includes “open” signs.
15. If lighting is desirable, spotlights mounted on the building surface or back-lighting signs are generally more appropriate. Use warm lighting at 400 kelvin.
16. Back-lit sign faces are not allowed.
17. Avoid nationally distributed promotions.
18. Signs painted on the building surface are prohibited in the downtown historic district.
19. Mechanical fastener locations holding signage should be coordinated to attach to the mortar joints and not to the historic brick.
20. Neon signs ere not allowed in storefront windows.

1. Where possible, align signs with other signs on adjacent buildings.
2. If a building has a historic sign, it should be preserved or incorporated into the storefront’s new identification and signage whenever possible.
3. Generally, wood, metal, glass and some polymers are the best base materials for painted signs. (Vacuum formed plastic signs and plastic bubble letters are not allowed. Higher quality CNC cut acrylic and injection molded plastic will be considered.)
4. Sign colors should complement the colors of the building and are limited to three colors.
5. Signs should not be located in the upper facade of the building.
6. Signs should fit within the existing features of the facade. They should not cover up architectural details on the building.
7. Window and door signs should not obscure the display areas of visibility. Permanent window and door signs should usually not occupy more than 25% of the total glass area on which they are displayed. Such signs should compliment other signs on the facade.
8. Display the hours that the business is open within the design of the door or window sign.
9. Signs should be clear, concise and easily read. The message should be kept to a minimum so it is quickly read.
10. Signs cannot be mounted on roofs.
11. Awnings can serve as signs with contrasting letters painted or sewn onto the valance. Usually, 6” to 8” letters are sufficient. Large lettering logos or signs on the sloping part of the canopy are discouraged.
12. Electronic signs should be no larger than 4’ x 7’.
13. Electronic signs should display in high resolution.
14. Electronic signs should be dimmed at night.
15. Electronic signs should not be flashing.
16. Signage along the highway must be KDOT approved.

Awnings protect pedestrians from the weather and protect merchandise displayed in windows from sunlight. Awnings also shade the storefront and help keep the interiors cooler. Historically, awnings were both fixed and retractable.

1. The awning size and shape should fit the original masonry opening.
2. Awnings should not obscure the architectural features of the building.
3. Awnings or canopies that detract from the historic character of the building should be removed when buildings are rehabbed. (such as those made of wood, wood siding or covered in corrugated metal roofing, asphalt or shake shingles)

1. Back-lit awnings are not appropriate for historic commercial buildings. If lighting is desirable, spotlights mounted on the building surface are more appropriate; another option is downlights mounted in a soffit of an awning.
2. Care should also be given to what the awning looks like from below. Is the metal frame organized and attractive or does it have an enclosed soffit?
3. Typically, fabric, canvas and to a lesser extent vinyl are the most appropriate awning materials; wood, aluminum, shingles, plastic or shiny/slick finishes on fabric/canvas/vinyl are generally not appropriate.
4. Arched top awnings are only allowed at arched openings.
5. Bubble (semi-spherical) awnings are not allowed.
6. The awning size and shape should fit the original masonry opening.
7. Awnings should not obscure the architectural features of the building.
8. Awnings or canopies that detract from the historic character of the building should be removed when buildings are rehabbed. (such as those made of wood, wood siding or covered in corrugated metal roofing, asphalt or shake shingles)
9. As a general rule, back-lit awnings are typically not appropriate for historic commercial buildings. If lighting is desirable, spotlights mounted on the building surface are more appropriate.
10. Care should also be given to what the awning looks like from below. Is the metal frame organized and attractive or does it have an enclosed soffit?