Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas— The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) announced the launch of the BIG LIFT Program, a citywide grant that helps locally owned small businesses improve the exterior of their properties. The program extends the model of the BIG Program in Historic Downtown Brownsville to commercial corridors and neighborhoods across the entire city.
The BIG LIFT Program offers one-time reimbursement grants of up to $30,000 for exterior improvements. BCIC reimburses 80 percent of the total project cost up to that cap, with the applicant responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
Eligible improvements cover a wide range of exterior work, including façade painting and re-siding, signage, doors, windows, awnings, exterior lighting, parking lot resurfacing, drought-tolerant landscaping, outdoor seating areas, and murals by local Brownsville artists.
To qualify, a business must be locally owned and independently operated, located within Brownsville city limits, open and actively operating for at least two years, and have fewer than 20 employees.
Full eligibility requirements, including documentation and lease terms, are available in the program guidelines here.
The BIG LIFT Program will roll out by city district on the following schedule:
District 1: Applications open June 1 through July 10, 2026
District 2: Applications open September 1 through October 9, 2026
District 3: Applications open December 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027
District 4: Applications open March 1 through April 19, 2027
The BIG LIFT Program is separate from the BIG Property Improvement Grant Program, which serves Historic Downtown Brownsville. Businesses located within the downtown BIG Program boundaries must apply under that program. A business may not receive funding from both programs for the same property.
Funding is limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are reviewed and scored by BCIC staff and presented to the BCIC Board of Directors for final approval.
For questions about the BIG LIFT Program, guidelines, or eligibility, contact Eric Quintero, Director of Community Development, at equintero@brownsvillecic.com.
Information source: BCIC
