Photo courtesy of City of Fresno | Central Fish Co. in Chinatown received new paint, updated signage and parking-lot sign repairs through the City of Fresno's Small Business Facade Improvement Grant Program.

Local businesses continue to benefit from the city of Fresno’s Small Business Façade Improvement Grant Program, receiving reimbursement grants to improve the exterior appearance of commercial buildings, attract customers and strengthen neighborhood business districts.

Approved by the Fresno City Council in 2023, the program is administered by the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. It provides reimbursement grants for exterior improvements including new paint, windows and doors, signage, lighting, masonry repair and accessibility improvements.

The city created the program using American Rescue Plan Act funds to help revitalize commercial corridors by encouraging private investment and improving neighborhood business districts.

How the grant program works

The grants are available to eligible businesses in City Council districts 1 and 4.

Qualifying businesses can receive up to $20,000 for single storefront properties and up to $50,000 for multiple storefronts. Businesses must provide a 25% match to the grant they receive.

According to the city’s 2025 Recovery Performance Report, more than $1.18 million had been allocated for façade improvements. Technical assistance has been provided to more than 150 businesses and 53 grants have been awarded, the report said.

Mayor Jerry Dyer has supported the program and has attended several ribbon cuttings for businesses that have received assistance.

“Our local businesses help define the character of Fresno’s neighborhoods,” Dyer said. “The City’s Façade Improvement Program has helped more than 100 businesses enhance their storefronts, attract new customers, and contribute to the continued revitalization of Downtown Fresno, Chinatown, the Tower District, and Airport District. These investments support local business owners while creating vibrant neighborhoods that our residents can be proud of.”

New retail recipients

In April, several businesses announced improvements made through the grant program. The latest recipients include Central Fish, Cuca’s Restaurant on F Street, La Elegante Taqueria, El Molino Rojo, El Paso Furniture and Dulceria Maggis.

Dyer said simple changes such as new signs or a fresh coat of paint can “transform a storefront and make a big difference in the area.”

To support the program, the city has partnered with three community organizations — the Chinatown Foundation, Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association and the Downtown Fresno Partnership.

Morgan Doizaki, owner of Central Fish, said that before renovations made possible through the city’s façade program, the exterior of the 10,000-square-foot store had not been updated in decades.

Renovations at Central Fish included new paint, a new sign in front of the store and repairs to the framing of the parking lot sign.

Doizaki said they advertised the renovations and “made a big deal out of it.”

Keeps the ‘established established’

He said the exterior renovations make the team at Central Fish feel good, and the strong push to direct funding to Chinatown has allowed multiple nearby businesses to improve their storefronts, bringing a positive impact to the neighborhood.

“I think, in the past, a certain stigma with this neighborhood existed and now people come here and are like ‘wow, this is not like what they say it is.’ This is actually cool and nice and the architecture is like no other and they can appreciate a historic area,” Doizaki said.

He added that the program gives them hope and appreciation for being in the area.

“It keeps the established established, and helps small businesses thrive. Chinatown is a bunch of small businesses and we want to support more of them,” Doizaki said.