City of Amarillo, Texas Planning Department

The City of Amarillo’s Planning and Economic Development Department launched the Business Improvement Grant (BIG) Program to address the need for reinvestment in the city’s legacy neighborhoods. By offering reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for exterior upgrades, the program helps small businesses improve storefronts, signage, landscaping, lighting, and accessibility. Beyond financial support, participants also receive design guidance to ensure that improvements align with the neighborhood’s character and community goals.

What makes the initiative distinct is its grounding in Amarillo’s adopted Neighborhood Plans, which reflect priorities identified by residents themselves. These plans emphasized economic opportunity, beautification, and revitalization. The BIG Program directly responds by equipping business owners—many of whom are minority entrepreneurs or legacy businesses—with tools to reinvest in their properties, attract more customers, and strengthen their role in the community.

In its first year, the program funded 10 projects with $131,500 in city grant funding, leveraging more than $133,000 in private investment for a total of $265,309 in improvements. Completed projects range from historic façade restorations and ADA-compliant entrances to new signage, energy-efficient lighting, and landscaping. The results were both practical and symbolic. Businesses saw increases in foot traffic and customer engagement, while residents gained more welcoming, accessible, and attractive neighborhood spaces.

The program’s influence has extended beyond individual properties. Adjacent businesses have begun planning their own improvements, creating ripple effects along commercial corridors. Local media coverage amplified these stories, further increasing interest and awareness. The involvement of the Neighborhood Oversight Committee, made up of city council and county representatives, has reinforced accountability and transparency, helping to strengthen civic trust. Perhaps most importantly, the BIG Program has inspired a renewed sense of pride among both business owners and residents. By aligning public investment with community vision, Amarillo has created not just better storefronts, but stronger connections between people and place. The program is already being recognized as a scalable model for neighborhood-based economic development in Texas and beyond.