Albany, NY Applications are now available as part of the city’s Small Business Façade Improvement Program’s third-round spring funding window with an additional $100,000 in matching grants being made available to support small business owners citywide. The program can provide matching grants up to $10,000 to small businesses and/or commercial property owners for exterior renovations. The application window will close on June 6, concluding the program’s third round. 

City leaders joined Prinzo’s Bakery owners Joe and Philomena Prinzo for the third-round spring funding window announcement of the program. This long-standing business received second-round program funds to replace the existing siding on the building, an awning, and new signage. In addition to added vibrancy, the awning enhances the entrance’s safety by helping to prevent slick conditions in times of inclement weather.

Located on Delaware Ave. since 1978, Prinzo’s Bakery is known for its Italian loaves of bread and hard rolls. Prinzo’s bread is delivered to many restaurants, delis, and sandwich shops within a 20-mile radius of the city, and serves as the daily bread for a number of local establishments. 

A family-owned business, Prinzo’s has called the city its home for nearly 60 years, having first begun in the South End on Grand St. in 1960. It later expanded its product line to include donuts, opening Prinzo’s Dandy Donuts on Madison Ave. Soon after, the business moved to Delaware Ave., and 40 years later–it is still a staple of the Delaware Ave. neighborhood..

The Small Business Façade Improvement program is a matching grant program that helps small businesses throughout the city reinvest in their properties. Previous rounds of this small business program have been tremendously successful. With completion of all current awarded applicants’ renovations, the program is anticipated to have leveraged more than $750,000 in total project investment. Administered by Capitalize Albany Corp., the Small Business Facade Improvement Program is made possible by the City of Albany Capital Resource Corp. and the Albany Community Development Agency.

For more information regarding the program, please contact [email protected].