Oakland Businesses Can Apply by Aug. 15 for Competitive Façade Grants

Commercial property owners and eligible business tenants in the Town of Oakland, Maryland, have until Aug. 15, 2026, to apply for a new commercial façade-improvement grant program supported by $50,000 allocated in the town’s FY2027 budget.

The program supports eligible exterior improvements to commercial properties within Town of Oakland limits. Grants are competitive matching grants, so the available money is not an automatic award and applicants are not guaranteed reimbursement.

Town budget sets aside $50,000

The Town of Oakland announced the program July 1, 2026. The town said the Mayor and Town Council allocated $50,000 in the FY2027 budget for matching grants for eligible exterior building improvements within the town.

That figure is the total program allocation, not money awarded to one business. Applications will be reviewed through the town’s competitive process.

Who may apply

The town says commercial property owners and eligible business tenants may apply. The commercial property must be within the Town of Oakland’s limits. Although one town webpage uses the phrase “city limits,” Oakland is legally identified as a town in Garrett County, Maryland.

Applicants must review the eligibility guidelines, complete the online application and submit the required supporting documents. The application page also provides a property-owner permission template for tenant applicants.

Reimbursement follows completed, paid work

The program uses a reimbursement model. An approved recipient must complete the approved project, pay the eligible costs and submit receipts after the work is completed. Reimbursement is limited to approved, eligible expenses that have already been incurred and paid.

Applicants therefore should not treat the $50,000 allocation as an upfront payment. Before filing or beginning work, applicants should review the town’s guidelines and scoring rubric for the program’s detailed requirements, including the matching rules, award limits, eligible expenses, documentation and any project or permitting conditions.

Applications are scored on four criteria

The town says its grant review committee will evaluate applications based on project quality, community impact, readiness and compliance with program guidelines.

The public application materials reviewed for this report do not specify individual award amounts or identify which applicants will receive grants. Those decisions remain part of the town’s competitive review process.

Deadline and contact information

Applications opened July 1, 2026, and must be submitted by Aug. 15, 2026. Applicants can start through the Town of Oakland’s Business Grants page and the separate façade-grant application page.

Questions may be directed to the Town of Oakland at Oakland City Hall at 301-334-2691 or to Nora Paugh, finance clerk, at npaugh@oaklandmd.gov.

As of Aug. 2, 2026, the published application materials describe an open application period; they do not identify any individual applicant or project as selected for funding.

Sources

• Town of Oakland grant-program announcement
• Town of Oakland Business Grants page
• Garrett County Business Development grant announcement