Grant Amount
Grants range from $250 to $2,000. No property or business owner investment is required for this program. Only one grant per business shall be approved during any eight year period.
Eligible Properties
Eligible properties must be located within Hutchinson’s historic downtown district. The boundaries of which are the Crow River on the North, Fourth Avenue on the South, properties with frontage on the west side of Franklin Street and properties with frontage on the East side of Hassan Street.
Eligible Improvements
Eligible projects include new signs and/or awnings or the replacement and improvement of existing signs and/or awnings. All signs and awnings must be in compliance with the city’s zoning ordinance.
Ineligible Improvements
Signs and awnings that are not in compliance with the city’s zoning ordinance will be ineligible.
Work by program applicant
The applicant(s) may perform the work themselves, although funding may be used only for the purchase of materials. Materials must be purchased, installed and inspected prior to the disbursement of funds.
Application Processing
The EDA Finance Team and Board of Directors will review all applications for final approval at their regularly scheduled meetings.
Contractor / Permits
A minimum of two bids per project must be obtained from contractors, the lower of which will be reimbursed, unless the work is done by the applicant. All required permits are the responsibility of the applicant. ***Important: Please work with sign professionals and be clear about the sign specifications (i.e. wood vs. metal) when soliciting bids.
Total Project Cost
The EDA will consider funding requests up to $2,000 towards the cost of replacing, repairing or purchasing new signs and/or awnings. If the total project cost exceeds $2,000, the applicant is responsible for the difference.
Work Completion
Weather permitting; all projects must be completed within 120 days of the funding approval date.
If work is completed prior to obtaining funding approval, the applicant can submit an application requesting reimbursement under the guidelines of this program. If the applicant is seeking reimbursement, a final invoice must be included with the application. The final invoice must be dated within 60 days of the date the EDA receives the application.
Disbursement Process
After an inspection by the city and/or the EDA to verify completion of the work, a two-party check will be issued payable to both the program applicant and the contractor or materials supplier. Before funds can be released, the following must be received by the EDA:
- Final invoice from contractor (or materials list from supplier).
- Photograph(s) of completed project.
- Confirmation of permit and final inspection.
- Final inspection by the EDA.
Please allow a minimum of 14 days from the time invoices are submitted for checks to be issued. The Hutchinson City Council approves all expenditures on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month and invoices must be received at least one week prior to the council meeting for their consideration. Please advise your contractors of this schedule.
Sign Contractors located in Hutchinson and the surrounding area:
Viking Signs 420 California St. NW. Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.587.7644 |
Visual Effects Signs & Graphics 945 5th Avenue SE #2 Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.455.0096 |
Crow River Signs 123 Michigan St. NE Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.237.9727 |
Peter’s Signs 24132 MN Hwy 22 Litchfield, MN 55355 Phone: 320.693.2796 |
Innovative Foam 1164 Benjamin Ave SE Unit 5 Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.348.3243 |
Intensity Signs & Graphics 2724 9th Street East Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.864.2998 |
Please call the Hutchinson Economic Development Authority at 320.234.5652 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Apply for the Sign & Awning Program